School education in Vanuatu includes Early Childhood Care and Education, Primary Years 1–6 and Secondary Years 7–14. The 2024 baseline recorded 1,328 schools and 104,543 learners, while access and school provision differed strongly between rural and urban areas. Schools may use English, French, dual-medium teaching or authorized vernacular-language instruction. Language learning covers Bislama, English, French and the country's many local vernacular languages. Bislama is the national language, and Bislama, English and French are official languages. Formal technical and vocational education and training, commonly called TVET, and post-school education and training are mainly delivered by registered providers, accredited courses and workplace or community programmes. An apprenticeship arrangement with an employer does not by itself guarantee a contract, wage, fixed duration, certificate or occupational licence. Higher education is available through local, regional and partner institutions, with certificates, diplomas, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and PhDs in fields such as education, law, tourism, business, science, information technology and climate resilience. Admission requirements, fees, study modes and recognition depend on the institution and programme. Upskilling includes technical and vocational courses, workplace learning, short courses, professional training and recognition of existing experience. Providers, Vanuatu Qualifications Authority processes, Skills Centres and funding partnerships all contribute to these opportunities.
Learning in Vanuatu
Learning in Vanuatu includes apprenticeship, school education, language learning, higher education and upskilling. These areas differ in purpose, provider, qualification and stage of learning. Opportunities range from early childhood education and primary school to technical training, university study and workplace courses.
Choose the learning option in Vanuatu according to the outcome you need: formal school progression, an occupational skill, a higher-education qualification, language development or an updated work skill. Confirm the provider, course status, costs, language, duration and resulting qualification before committing time or money. Treat an apprenticeship label alone as insufficient proof of a contract, wage or certificate.
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship in Vanuatu does not follow one nationwide dual system combining a company and a school. Formal technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and post-school education and training (PSET) are mainly delivered through registered providers, accredited courses and workplace or community programmes. An apprenticeship arrangement may exist with an employer, but the word apprenticeship alone does not guarantee a contract, wage, fixed duration, certificate or occupational licence.
School
Formal school education in Vanuatu runs from Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), including kindergarten, through Primary Years 1–6 and Secondary Years 7–14. The 2024 baseline recorded 1,328 schools and 104,543 learners, with access and school provision differing strongly between rural and urban areas. Schools use English, French, dual-medium or, for some authorized subjects, vernacular languages and Bislama.
Languages
Language learning in Vanuatu includes Bislama, English, French and the country's many local vernacular languages. Bislama is the national language, while Bislama, English and French are official languages. Schools generally use vernacular languages or Bislama in the early years and introduce English or French as the main teaching language during primary school.
Higher Education
Higher education in Vanuatu is provided through local, regional and partner institutions. Students can pursue certificates, diplomas, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and PhDs in fields such as education, law, tourism, business, science, information technology and climate resilience. Admission requirements, fees, study modes and qualification recognition depend on the institution and programme.
Continuing Education
Upskilling in Vanuatu develops or refreshes skills alongside work or after an earlier education period. Options include technical and vocational courses, workplace learning, short courses, professional training and recognition of existing experience. The system is distributed across providers, Vanuatu Qualifications Authority processes, Skills Centres and funding partnerships rather than one central continuing-education office.
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