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.
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