Federated States of Micronesia

by Paul Bacsich

For entities in Federated States of Micronesia see Category:Federated States of Micronesia

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is an island nation located in the Micronesia region of Oceania, in the Pacific Ocean, north of Papua New Guinea. The country is a sovereign state in free association with the United States.

The Federated States of Micronesia were formerly part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, a United Nations Trust Territory under US administration. In 1979 they adopted a constitution, and in 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the United States.

The term Micronesia may refer to the Federated States or to the region as a whole - here we use FSM or Micronesia States for the country, Micronesia for the region.

The Federated States of Micronesia are located in the region known as Micronesia, which consists of hundreds of small islands divided in eight territories.

The population is 155,000.

The capital city is Palikir but the largest city is Kolonia.

The FSM is a sovereign, self-governing state in free association with the United States, which is wholly responsible for its defense. The Division of Maritime Surveillance operates a paramilitary Maritime Wing and a small Maritime Police Unit. The Compact of Free Association allows FSM citizens to join the US military without having to obtain US permanent residency or citizenship.

There are four administrative divisions:

1. Chuuk
2. Kosrae
3. Pohnpei
4. Yap

Economic activity of the Federated States of Micronesia consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. Long line tuna fishing is also viable with foreign vessels from Taiwan and China operated in the 1990s. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remoteness of the location and a lack of adequate facilities hinder development. Financial assistance from the US is the primary source of revenue, with the US pledged to spend $1.3 billion in the islands in 1986–2001. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure are major impediments to long-term growth.

For more details see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federated_States_of_Micronesia

e-learning

The responsibility for education in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is shared between the national government and the individual states of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap. The FSM has a strategic plan to provide overall guidance for improving education in the country. However, the states have the primary responsibility for instruction with the national government providing support and assistance. As a result, the individual states also have their own plans for the improvement of education and for the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs).

A total of 195 schools located on islands and atolls across an ocean expanse greater than the area of the continental United States serves approximately 34,179 children in the FSM. Of these schools, 74 have fewer than 100 students and 43 have fewer than 50 students. Most of these small schools are located in remote outer islands. Telecommunications and power are not available on all islands or to all schools (see Table 1).

The FSM supports one institution of higher education, the College of Micronesia – FSM (COM-FSM) with a national campus in Pohnpei and state campuses in each of the states. COM-FSM offers associate’s degrees and also has a third-year programme in education. The University of Guam works with COM-FSM to provide the additional courses needed for a bachelor’s degree in education on its campus in Guam and via distance learning.

In addition, San Diego State University (SDSU) and other universities provide distance learning courses in the FSM.

For more details see http://www.unescobkk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ict/Metasurvey/micronesia.pdf

This can form the basis of a full country report.

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For OER policies and projects in Federated States of Micronesia see Federated States of Micronesia/OER

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