OIA: PSS role model for Micronesian public schools

U.S. Department of the Interior?s Office of Insular Affairs acting assistant secretary Lori Faeth, right, and director Nik Pula, second left, are seen engaged in separate conversations with Board of Education chair Herman Guerrero, and Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan. The group spent two hours in closed-door meeting yesterday at Hyatt Regency Saipan. (Moneth G. Deposa)

Impressed with what they have learned from a two-hour meeting with local education officials yesterday noon, visiting officials from the U.S. Department of Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs made known OIA’s desire to replicate some initiatives of the CNMI Public School System in other Micronesian school districts.
“We had almost two hours of very good dialogue. This is a great [opportunity] because we had an exchange of ideas. We learned many things how schools are doing here and their status. And I can say we’re really impressed!” said OIA director Nik Pula after emerging from the closed-door meeting with members of the Board of Education and PSS leadership team. He was joined at the meeting by acting assistant secretary for insular areas Lori Faeth.

Pula disclosed that OIA is looking at making the CNMI-PSS a role model in Micronesian school districts where many of its initiatives will be “replicated” in the Pacific region.

Despite the challenges faced by the school system, Pula acknowledged the clear evidence of success in PSS’ mission and goals.

“I asked them [PSS and board] on ideas how we can help other areas mostly in the FSM [Federated States of Micronesia]. So today, we engaged in sharing those ideas,” he said.

Saipan Tribune learned that BOE chair Herman T. Guerrero, along with other board members, also affirmed their commitment to help OIA in helping Micronesian public schools.

Faeth and Pula also informed education officials yesterday about the approval of their grant application submitted to OIA in May last year.

In a letter read to officials yesterday, Pula announced the awarding of $473,367 in CIP funds for use in providing professional development trainings to PSS teachers, teacher aides, and school administrators.

“This partial funding is provided for priorities 1 through 5 as outlined in the CNMI-PSS proposal on May 26, 2013,” states the letter, which was presented yesterday to local officials.

According to Pula, OIA carefully reviewed the PSS grant application and made it a priority for assistance. He said this is only the beginning of a closer collaboration with the school system.

“The last two years, we focused on the public hospital because of its situation. This 2014, we decided that we’re going to focus on education because that’s two areas that we always look at. So we’re hoping this is just a beginning,” he told Saipan Tribune.

According to Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan, PSS can now move ahead and plan for more professional development for its staff, teachers, and school administrators.

She said McREL will be tapped to provide the trainings.

“That amount is really something we certainly can use to continue to improve the school district’s personnel and we’re very thrilled with this good news,” said Sablan.