SPFSC Schools

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A total of 18 secondary schools from three Pacific island countries, namely Kiribati, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, rely on the South Pacific Form Seven Certificate programme as their entry-level qualification to university or employment. The need for a regional qualification arose when the New Zealand University Examination programme was withdrawn. At the time, most island nations relied on this NZ course as the entry qualification for further studies or work. The regional qualification was thus created to support the countries that, for varied reasons, believed their young people were best served through this approach.

Initially, five Pacific Island countries offered the SPFSC programme. The total student enrolment then was well below 500. More than a decade has passed and schools from Samoa and Tonga have withdrawn after their countries installed their own Year 13 programmes. Yet, despite the reduced number of schools, the total student enrolment to the SPFSC programme has increased. Last year a record number of 1489 students were enrolled. It was also the year in which the largest number of students withdrew (108). This, however, was expected given the adversities and disruptions to schooling caused by the pandemic and Tropical Cyclone Harold that devastated Vanuatu. Many more would have discontinued their education if the Australian Government had not responded affirmatively to redirect its innovation funds to assist the vulnerable SPFSC students. About 62 per cent of the students last year received either partial or full funding support to complete the SPFSC programme.

List of SPFSC Schools

1. Motufoua Secondary School, Tuvalu

2. Kauma Adventist College, Kiribati

3. King George V EB School, Kiribati

4. Sacred Heart College, Kiribati

5. Stephen Whitmee High School, Kiribati

6. Aore Adventist Academy, Vanuatu

7. Baldwin Lonsdale Memorial School, Vanuatu

8. Central School, Vanuatu

9. Epauto Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School, Vanuatu

10. Lenakel Presbyterian School, Vanuatu

11. Malapoa College, Vanuatu