Restructuring MOE

House Bill No. 7-208-34s seeks to amend Title 22 of the Palau National Code to “create the Bureau of Education and streamline the operations of the MOE.”According to legislative findings indicated in the bill, the current structure of the MOE is not efficient and has resulted in MOE being unable to deliver it services effectively.   Subsequently, President Tommy Remengesau, Jr. had earlier expressed in Executive Order No 203 a similar provision, which the Olbiil Er a Kelulau (OEK) finds now to be practical, effective, and reduces costs.The OEK indicate that establishing a Bureau of Education will “give full legal effect to the structure proposed in Executive Order 203” and will direct focus on “providing quality services while aiming to reduce cost, ensuring accountability of representatives and staff, and creating a viable organizational structure.”Under existing mandates, there should be two directors of the MOE – director of the Bureau of Education (BOE) and the director of the Bureau of Curriculum and Implementation (BCI).  Since 2004, the MOE has had but one director, who has overseen all the functions and operations of the MOE successfully, whilst BCI had remained “director-less.”  Under the proposed bill, the director will direct the full operations of the MOE.