Overview:
Palau lawmakers are advancing a bill that would require Palauan languages to be used as the primary medium of instruction in early education, a move supporters say is critical to preserving culture and identity.
Measure requires K–3 teaching in Palauan, allows Sonsorolese and Hatohobeian options
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
NGERULMUD, Palau — Delegate Sebastian Marino of Hatohobei has introduced a three-page bill in the House of Delegates proposing a significant reform to Palau’s education system by requiring Palauan traditional languages as the primary language of instruction in early grades.
The measure mandates that all public and charter schools receiving public funding use Palauan languages as the medium of instruction for all subjects from kindergarten through third grade.
“The Palauan language shall be the language of instruction for all subjects in Kindergarten to third grade in every school chartered in the Republic of Palau or receiving public fund,” the bill states. It also allows the use of Sonsorolese and Hatohobeian to help preserve Palau’s distinct languages.
Current law already requires instruction in Palauan language, reading, writing, culture and history from first through 12th grade. The proposed legislation builds on that framework by expanding the use of Palauan languages across all subjects in the early years of education.
If enacted, the bill would provide schools with a 12-month transition period to prepare for implementation.
Marino addressed concerns about potential confusion in applying multiple languages, clarifying that schools in Palau’s southwest islands may choose between standard Palauan or their native dialects—Sonsorolese or Hatohobeian—as the language of instruction. Schools elsewhere would be required to use standard Palauan, and the bill does not mandate the teaching of Sonsorolese or Hatohobeian nationwide.
During deliberations in both the House and Senate, Ngeremlengui Delegate Portia Franz and Sen. Andrew Tabelual questioned whether the Ministry of Education and teachers are prepared to develop appropriate instructional materials.
Sen. Inabo voiced strong support for the measure, emphasizing the role of language in preserving national identity.
“Since our culture and tradition depend on our Palauan language, I strongly believe we should pass this law because our children should know their identity and know how to speak our language,” Inabo said.
The bill passed its final reading in the House unanimously and has advanced to the Senate, where it also cleared its first reading unanimously. It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Education.
The House-initiated proposal comes alongside a separate Senate education reform bill that seeks to reinstate criterion-based quarterly assessments and establish a national framework for teacher training in Palauan subjects.
