Dale Jenkins
KOROR (Island Times/Pacnews) — The Palau Senate on Thursday last week voted to reject the reappointment of Dr. Dale Jenkins as minister of education.
Seven senators opposed the nomination, while six voted in favor during the second day of the Senate’s first special session.
A minimum of 10 votes is required to confirm a ministerial appointment.
Sen. Andrew Tabelual, the Senate Education Committee chair, delivered a nearly 40-minute report detailing Jenkins’ educational background, work experience, and key policies implemented during his tenure.
Tabelual highlighted several initiatives spearheaded by Jenkins, including the school breakfast program, ongoing accreditation of schools, facility upgrades — such as a new cafeteria at Meyuns Elementary School and classroom air conditioning installations — the introduction of kindergarten in public schools, and curriculum improvements at Palau High School, including new courses in archaeology and music and arts.
However, Tabelual was critical of Jenkins’ policies, particularly the Ministry of Education’s decision to discontinue quarterly assessment tests. He stated that over four years, the ministry had lost 128,300 student assessment data points.
“We have invested $40.5 million in students over the last four years, yet there is no student-to-curriculum mastery data related to the learning targets dictated by Palau’s educational framework,” Tabelual said.
He also criticized the ministry’s reliance on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and other reading assessments, arguing that the test results come a year late and do not provide timely data on student progress. Additionally, he noted that Palauan studies received little attention for three years, with only one assessment test given last year.
Tabelual further faulted MOE’s report to the Olbiil Era Kelulau or the Palau National Congress, stating that it relied solely on Iowa test scores to measure student success while omitting key indicators such as enrollment numbers, grade point averages, attendance, promotion rates, cohort graduation rates, and student retention rates. He noted that only three pages of longitudinal percentile rankings for grades 3 to 9, 4 to 10, and 5 to 11 were presented as evidence of student and school performance.
The senator also raised concerns about a teacher shortage, reporting that principals in 10 schools — including Airai, Ngaraard, Kayangel, Ngardmau, Ngeremlengui, Ibobang, Aimeliik, Peleliu, Angaur, and Koror — are currently teaching in classrooms due to a lack of staff.
“There is a shortage of 37 teachers, yet as of February 2025, the Bureau of Public Service System had only announced three vacancies: one for Melekeok Elementary School and a physical education teacher for George B. Harris Elementary School,” he said.
Tabelual also questioned recent structural changes within MOE, particularly the reorganization that dismantled the Division of Personnel and placed human resources directly under the minister.
“What has the ministry done to address the teacher shortage?” he asked.
Following the report, the Senate proceeded to vote on Jenkins’ confirmation, which failed. As of now, the ministries of Education, Finance, and Justice remain without appointed ministers.
