轉向密克羅尼西亞群島諸國：帛琉共和國、馬紹爾群島共和國、密克羅尼西亞聯邦的教育議題

Pivot to the Micronesian States: Educational Issues in the Republic of Palau, the Republic of Marshall Islands, and Federated States of Micronesia

太平洋群島各國在全球政治上逐漸獲得重視，而日本和臺灣在地理和歷史上皆和該地區具備密切的關係。該地區14個國家中有4國和臺灣締結正式的外交關係。但相較於對鄰近國家的教育研究，日本或臺灣對於該地區的相關研究尚付之闕如。為填補此空白，本研究以密克羅尼西亞群島中和日本、臺灣關係最為密切的三國——帛琉共和國、馬紹爾群島共和國、密克羅尼西亞聯邦，作為研究對象。研究結果發現，該區域共通的挑戰如師資培育的參與度與續留率低、欠缺基礎的調查指標等。研究也發現上述問題乃根基於該地區各國的歷史、文化與社經狀況等，故建議後續的研究可以運用上述的發現，多方探討相關議題，並深化對於該地諸國多樣的理解與外交友誼。

Pacific Island countries are drawing ever-increasing attention in global politics. Japan and Taiwan have close geographical and historical ties with this region. In Taiwan’s case, four of the 14 countries it has diplomatic relations with are within this area. However, the pedagogical research on this region in both Japan and Taiwan is extremely limited compared to the number of studies conducted in other neighboring countries. To fill this gap, this paper reports on the educational issues faced by three of the Micronesian countries that are closest to Japan and Taiwan: the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. This study identified common challenges across the region, such as teacher education, low participation and retention rates, and lack of data on fundamental indicators. It also suggested that these problems are rooted in these countries’ history, culture, and socio-economic situations. Researchers in education are urged to utilize their expertise to further study these issues to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the countries.