SIGRAH -6~ begin asking the people of Micronesia to give greater support to such supnosedly "free" services such as health service and education. By suppert, we mean money, material contribution, effort and participation, Should the Administering Authority support such a three-point prnsram and should it become a reality we feel it will move Micronesia closer tn self-reliance. It. will de so no matter what pnlitical status is chesen in the future. It is of course, possible that the amount cf grant funds in the future will be inadequate. The Congress of Micronesia is only too much aware of the danger of a one~-crep econemy, Likewise, it has considered that depending on a single source for financial assistance could be risky. Consequently, we have lonked to see what other sources of funding and assistance for our programs, policies, and goals might be available. It is thus with great interest and high hopes that we view closer contact with the United Nations Development. Programme, although there has yet to be extablished a formal agreement between it _and the Trust Territory. We are also hopeful in view of. provisional acceptance of Micronesia as an associate member of the This ‘Economic Commission for Asta and the Far East. organization can provide a conduit to assistance from the We look forward to formal approval Asian Development Bank. scon of our application to ECAFE by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations as opening up a new and vast avenue for development. We shall, of course, continue our interest and participation in the South Pacific Commission. This body. and its Confererce has obvious technical benefits which can acerue to Micronesia. In the area of education, one might take heart in the increase of classrooms, allowing for most students with notable exceptions like Truk District--"to attend school threugh the 12th grade," We also see the slight increase of Micronesian teachers and the addition of new Micronesianoriented textbooks in a most favorable light, The growing number of graduates of vocational schools would seem to indicate a Micronesia educational system which is becoming more and more attuned to the needs of the country and its people. However, despite thes2 encouraging indicators, there 2 apr f aars to be ti th li hinders an overall lack of planning and strategy which educational progress for our children. -more-