In an unprecedented move to restore educational reform efforts, Governor Johnson Elimo has fired the entire Chuuk Board of Education (CBOE) and replaced them with new members to oversee public education in Chuuk State.
This radical action was much needed after the CBOE fired the Executive Director of Education, Mrs. Gardenia Aisek Macayaon on December 9, 2014.
But it probably would have been politics as usual in Chuuk. The Governor would have kept his political appointees intact on the CBOE had it not been for a Samoan Saint Nick coming to the aid of the children of Chuuk.
Santa Claus arrived on December 19, 2014 in the form of a strongly worded letter from Nikolao Pula, the Director of the US Office of Insular Affairs. Acting on his role as Secretary and Vice-Chairman of the Joint Economic Management Committee (JEMCO), Pula notified his FSM counterpart, FSM Secretary of External Affairs Lorin Robert, that the 2nd quarter Compact Education and Supplemental Education Grant for the Chuuk Department of Education would not be released unless the Chuuk leadership “modify the board’s membership so that the board will start acting in good faith with respect to our mutual agreements.”
Pula, whose father was the first Samoan to serve as Samoa’s Director of Education, has been critical of the slow pace of educational reform in the State under Macayaon’s leadership. But the CBOE’s action was clearly a slap in the face for the man who sees himself as a fellow islander helping Chuuk from within the US bureaucracy. The CBOE terminated Macayaon only a few days after Pula departed Chuuk after participating in a High Level Meeting with Governor Johnson Elimo, House Speaker Innocente Oneisom, Senate President Mark Mailo, Director Macayaon, the CBOE, and other officials specifically to agree on some educational reform benchmarks.
In the letter, Pula complained that the CBOE’s actions “damaged the good faith and consensus that was achieved…” and added that the CBOE had also “taken other actions that will retard the process of reform in Chuuk.”
Pula’s tough love threat to Chuuk’s leaders on behalf of the children of Chuuk was strong enough this time to sway the Governor to appoint a brand new board which includes a combination of new and seasoned veterans:
- Domingko Asor (Southern Namoneas) – Chairman
- Kiki Stinnett (Northern Namoneas) – Vice
- Augustine Mathias (Northwest) – Secretary
- Dr. LJ Rayphand (Education Expert)
- Clark Graham (Private School)
- Herner Braiel (Mortlocks)
- Kirisos Victus (Faichuuk)
- Ansina Kony (Public Schools)
The new board first order of business was to appoint Mr. Graceful Enlet as the Acting Deputy Director of Education succeeding the late Noah Ruben who passed away unexpectedly in December. With a completely new board, Chuuk State can hopefully accelerate the pace of educational reform. For now the CBOE awaits the court’s ruling on the lawsuit filed by Gardenia Aisek Macayaon.
We commend Nik Pula for his leadership in this matter and wish the new board all the blessings and hopes of a new era in public education in our beloved Chuuk State.
Dr. Vid Raatior
Dr. Vid Raatior is a proud Chuukese parent, educator, citizen blogger, and social entrepreneur living in the US.
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May we know some work/ educational history.? As of now, I give them F+ grade..
Weirim mwo pwe repwe hawelo liekewe aiorer ekan kon style put me lon officin education naa.
Killisou Vid for your tireless advocacy for the different issues affecting our Chuuk State, but most importantly, for your dedication and passion in trying to improve the education of our youth.
It is shame that it took someone from the outside to come in and light a fire under the butts of those in charge to get the ball rolling. Thank you Mr. Pula.
Let’s hope that with this new Board in place, things would start accelerating for the better. I hate to sound cynical or harsh, but if that’s what is needed to affect change, so be it. Thanks again, Vid. Keep keeping us posted.
Mahalo very much for sharing with us. .
Let’s hope the new CBOE members take their roles effectively in all seriousness. On the contrary, I’m surprised to see some relatives of the former CBOE members appointed & seated on the Board. I’m hoping that despite what majority of the old CBOE members did, these new members will carry out their duties and responsibilities to the best of their abilities first and foremost, for the benefit of the children of Chuuk and their future as well. Good luck, Chuuk!
My advice to the newly appointed CBOE members is to:
1. Set aside your personal differences
2. Work as a team–accord each other the respect each member deserves
3. Leave your personal problems @ home where they belong
4. Prioritize!
5. Put Chuuk Public School System (CPSS) back IN ORDER!
6. Smile, God loves you or you wouldn’t be where you are
Looks like you have zero confidence in this new CBOE.?
Are you downgrading them or have no trust in their ability.?
Iwe nge ngang, i do have confidence in them and their ability to do the job..
A king street Ross store, I think it’s a little bit too much..!
Good luck guys.!!!
Someone says: Education is liken to a fish bone–the head, the bones in the middle, and the tail. This person was actually saying this (or shall I say advising) to the said new BOE director. As the head, he must make sure that he knows how to be the tail as well. He directs the fish (i.e. makes decisions, calls the shots), but he must also go back to the tail and move the fish (i.e. implement, take action). In the event that he has to move back to the tail bone, he must make sure that all the bones in the middle (big and small) are aligned (i.e. quality teachers, students’ needs are met; curriculum is in conformity with that of the NDOE–whatever that means; etc.) and functioning. If a bone is not working well, fix it right away or else the whole fish is going to slow down and possibly die.
How did I learn all this? Easy; I was literally right there at the table where the conversation took place. The way Domingko talked, I honestly think he can do the job. It’s not really a question of how one can do it because I believe a lot of people are capable, but the question is: Will he be influenced by all the political dynamism that has always hindered Chuuk’s growth/progression? I think not. I think he can block all that. Let’s hope and pray for the best.
Amo epwe fakkun fetan wenechar ach na CBOE or the whole school system…
Mi wesen pung, the fish needs all parts of itself…the body, the tail, the head and the bones..otherwise, esap ma manau..
Anean amo ach na political games non Chuuk esap play a role in influencing our new CBOE in a negative way..!
Alrighteee! Let’s go teach!!! Chuu Chok Chuuk… fotunei wach na epwe seres pwetete non setin fonuach ei… nikiti mettoch meinisin fokkun ekitekit faniten semiritin non fonuach ei…
GOOD LUCK TO THE NEW MEMBERS ON THE BOARD! I DO HOPE FOR A GREAT CHANGE!
It is interesting that you noted Pula’s criticism about Macayaon’s leadership. Did you hear that from Pula himself or is that just an assumption? As counsel for Ms. Macayaon, the Chairman of the Board could not testify to any specific instances where the former Director lacked competence, nor that she neglected her duty. That is the basis of her lawsuit against the Board. Whilst I commend you for raising issues in an effort to educate, please ensure that what you write is accurate. You should know that the new Board was established in violation of the Education Act. The Court has issued an injunction to prevent the Board of Education from hiring a new Director until the case is dispensed with. How long that will be is unknown at this time. Kinnisou
Ms Jack, please! Don’t make your complaint allegation an established fact yet: “…the new Board was established in violation of the Education Act.”
Don’t be like the FSM attorneys general, Ms April Skilling and Joses Gallen, saying the Chuuk Secession Movement “is a waste of time and money.” Please ask them to leave the political arguments to the people and their politicians. Just give us the legal arguments against the Secession.