Falkland Islands

by Paul Bacsich

For entities in Falkland Islands see Category:Falkland Islands

Partners situated in Falkland Islands

None.

Falkland Islands in a nutshell

(sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falkland_Islands)

Source : http://www.cia.gov

The Falkland Islands (Spanish: Islas Malvinas) are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located about 300 mi (480 km) from the coast of mainland South America, 700 mi (1100 km) from mainland Antarctica, and 3800 mi (6100 km) from Africa. The two main islands are East Falkland and West Falkland, and there are 776 smaller islands. The total land area is 4,700 square miles (12,173 km2), slightly smaller than Connecticut or Northern Ireland, with a coastline estimated at 800 miles (1288 km).

The Spanish name, Islas Malvinas, is said to be derived from the French name Îles Malouines.

The population is just over 3000.

Stanley, on East Falkland, is the capital.

The islands are a self-governing Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom. However, territorial sovereignty over the islands has been disputed by Argentina over many years, with occasional conflicts, the last in 1982. Notwithstanding that, the vast majority of the islanders wish to remain associated with the United Kingdom. Since the British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act 1983 the islanders have been full British citizens. Under Argentine Law they are eligible for Argentine citizenship but this offer is said to be of little interest.

The Falkland Islands comprise two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland (in Spanish Isla Gran Malvina and Isla Soledad respectively), and about 776 small islands.

The two main islands on either side of Falkland Sound make up most of the land. These are East Falkland, which contains the capital, Stanley, and most of the population; and West Falkland. Both islands have mountain ranges, the highest point being Mount Usborne, 2312 feet (705 m)[56] on East Falkland. There are also some boggy plains, most notably in Lafonia, on the southern half of East Falkland. Virtually the entire area of the islands is used as pasture for sheep.

Smaller islands surround the main two. They include Barren Island, Beaver Island, Bleaker Island, Carcass Island, George Island, Keppel Island, Lively Island, New Island, Pebble Island, Saunders Island, Sealion Island, Speedwell Island, Staats Island, Weddell Island, and West Point Island. The Jason Islands lie to the north west of the main archipelago, and Beauchene Island some distance to its south. Speedwell Island and George Island are split from East Falkland by Eagle Passage.

Numerous flora and fauna are found on the Falkland Islands. Notable fauna include colonies of the Magellanic Penguin.

The islands claim a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) and an exclusive fishing zone of 200 nautical miles (370 km; 230 mi), which has been a source of disagreement with Argentina.

Sheep farming was formerly the main source of income for the islands and still plays an important part with high quality wool exports going to the UK: there are said to be more than 500,000 sheep on the islands, over 100 sheep per inhabitant. Since 1984, efforts to diversify the economy have made fishing the largest part of the economy and brought increasing income from tourism.

The government sale of fishing licences to foreign countries has brought in more than £40 million a year in revenues, and local fishing boats are also in operation. More than 75% of the fish taken are squid, and most exports are to Spain. Tourism has grown rapidly, with more than 36,000 visitors in 2004.[62] The islands have become a regular port of call for the growing market of cruise ships. Attractions include the scenery and wildlife conservation with penguins, seabirds, seals and sealions, as well as visits to battlefields, golf, fishing and wreck diving. The UK provides defence - and UK military expenditures make a significant contribution to the economy. Except for defence, the islands belive that they are self sufficient.

The local currency is the Falkland Islands pound, which is in parity with the pound sterling. Sterling notes and coins circulate interchangeably with the local currency. The Falkland Islands also mint their own coins, and issue stamps, which are a source of revenue from overseas collectors

About 70% of islanders are of British descent, primarily as a result of immigration to the islands from Scotland and Wales. A few Islanders are of French, Gibraltarian, Portuguese and Scandinavian descent - some the descendants of whalers. There is also a small minority of South Americans, mainly from Chile, and in more recent times many people from Saint Helena have also come to work and live in the Islands.

The main religion is Christianity. The main denominations are Church of England, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, and Lutheran.

Medical care

This is always an issue on remote islands. The Government provides medical care for the islands. The King Edward VII Memorial Hospital is the only hospital. There are no ophthalmologists or opticians on the islands, although an optician from the United Kingdom visits about every six months and an ophthalmologist comes to do cataract surgery and eye examinations on irregular intervals (once every few years). There are said to be two dentists on the islands.

Falkland Islands education policy

Education in the Falkland Islands is free and compulsory up to the end of the academic year when a child reaches 16 years of age.

Falkland Islands education system

The Falklands follows the education system of the UK - specifically England. There are two schools, both in Stanley:

1. the Infant and Junior School teaches ages 4 to 11
2. the Falkland Islands Community School caters for ages 11 to 16.

All teachers are trained in the UK or other English-speaking countries.

There is also a primary school at a military camp that mainly serves the children of members of the armed forces.

Some primary aged children who live in "camp" (the local term for the countryside) are educated remotely.

The Falklands Islands Government funds sixth form studies for 16-18 years olds at two colleges in England. Specifically, those students who achieve appropriate grades are funded for A level courses at Peter Symonds' Sixth Form College, Winchester or to attend Chichester College to acquire National Diplomas or NVQs.

For more details of Education in the Falkland Islands see http://www.falklands.gov.fk/Education.html

Distance learning

A wonderful article in TES for January 2012 - The View From Here - Falkland Islands - Coping with the ultimate distance learning challenge - describes the rural education system:

With a population of just 2,995 (according to the 2006 census), most residents live in the main town of Stanley, while others live in "Camp" - the surrounding countryside. The local community schools are, according to director of health and education David Jenkins, similar to those in the UK. "Schooling is free and compulsory, and a variety of subjects are offered. We have around 30 pupils in a class, and there are plenty of support staff who help out when pupils have special educational needs," he says. "We have the same GCSE system as the UK, with the same exam boards, and an inspectorate which is similar to Ofsted."

For pupils living in Camp, however, lessons are conducted via radio and telephone. Every six weeks a travelling teacher will visit, acting as a personal tutor while living in the family home for two weeks. "I don't think my education suffered because of the unusual teaching methods," says Nadia Smith, a Falklands resident who grew up on a farm in Camp. "On the radio there would be five children at the other end, so we would still be learning together."

Higher Education

There are no tertiary-level institutions in the Falkland Islands.

The Falklands Islands Government funds higher and further education courses for over 18s, also usually in the UK, for suitably qualified students.

Universities in Falkland Islands

There are none.

Polytechnics in Falkland Islands

There are none.

Higher education reform

Not applicable.

The Bologna Process

Not appliable.

Administration and finance

Not applicable.

Quality assurance

Not applicable.

Falkland Islands HEIs in the information society

Towards the information society

The Falkland Islands has a modern telecommunications network providing fixed line telephone, ADSL and dial-up internet services in Stanley. Telephone service is provided to outlying settlements using microwave radio. A GSM 900 mobile network was installed in 2005 which provides coverage of Stanley, Mount Pleasant and surrounding areas. It is operated under the Touch Mobile brand.

Cable and Wireless is the sole telecommunications provider in the Falkland Islands.

Information society strategy

Not really applicable.

Virtual Campuses in HE

Interesting Virtual Campus Initiatives

Not applicable.

Interesting Programmes

Some distance learning is delivered into the Falkland Islands. In particular the Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News Update of 12 December 2008 notes:

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BA Honours degree for Nancy

ISLANDER Nancy Poole was pleased to learn on Tuesday that she had earned a BA Honours Degree in Humanities with Art, History and Classical Studies.

The Open University degree took her seven years in total to complete in her spare time, but while it was indeed hard work, Nancy said she is going to miss the studying and hasn't ruled out the possibility of taking on another course.

"A big thank you to the Falkland Islands Government Office in London, without whom it would be impossible to complete a degree through the Open University, as all the material has to be forwarded through them," said Nancy, adding her thanks also to Cable and Wireless, as without a broadband connection this year, it would have been virtually impossible for her to complete the course.

"Thank you also to the family for putting up with the occasional "lack of meals and the very rare tantrums," she added.

"Completing an Open University degree can seem a long and lonely process, but it is also fun and interesting and the University does allow access to a first class on-line library and excellent forum facilities where you can talk to like minded people."

Nancy works for Consultancy Services in Stanley and also farms sheep on the Swan Island group in Falkland Sound with her family.

(sourced from http://en.mercopress.com/2008/12/12/falkland-islands-weekly-penguin-news-update)

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We wonder if any other distance teaching providers have similar stories.

Re.ViCa Case-study

None.

Lessons learnt

There is nowhere too remote for distance learning to reach. In particular, nowwhere seems too remote for the UK Open University.

References

1. Falkland Island Government, http://www.falklands.gov.fk

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For OER policies and projects in Falkland Islands see Falkland Islands/OER

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