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Pacific
News
One of the highlights of the Pacific Educational
Conference (PEC) is cultural presentations like American Samoa’s at
last year’s PEC. This year, the 19th Annual PEC will be held in American
Samoa July 23-25, 2002, with pre-conference institutes and post-conference
activities on July 22 and July 26, respectively.
By the end of the year, students in Saipan will be walking down the halls
of three new schools. Five hundred students are already attending Kagman
High School, which opened on January 14, 2002, and is the home of the
Ayuyu. According to public school system officials, construction of Koblerville
High School and Kagman Junior High School is on schedule and should be
completed soon. Both schools have anticipated opening dates of August
2002.
Palau’s Senate has recently adopted a resolution praising the achievements
of retired educator Masa-Aki N. Emesiochl for his service and contributions
to the country’s educational systems. With more than 30 years of
service, Emesiochl is recognized for his instrumental role in the publication
of Palau history and government textbooks, Palauan grammar books, and
a Palau-English dictionary. Other achievements include his leadership
in the development of a curriculum framework in all subject areas for
grades 1 and 2.
One of PREL’s primary goals is to provide information about events
of interest to Pacific teachers and educational administrators. A 12-month
calendar of upcoming workshops and conferences has recently been added
to PREL’s website and can be accessed at www.prel.org/conferences.
If you have an activity that you would like to add to PREL’s calendar,
email calendarinfo@prel.org. Please include the following information:
name of event, date(s), location, and contact information (contact person,
phone and/or fax number, email address, and URL).
TEEN SUICIDE
Are We Losing Our Precious Resources?
By Harvey Lee
While in Saipan, we went to the local dive shop to
catch up with old friends. The owner greeted us: "Hi, how are you?"
"Fine," I replied.
"What’s new in Saipan?"
The owner said, "By the way, did you know ______,
the Chuukese dive master?"
"Yeah."
"He committed suicide," she said. "His girlfriend left
him and the next day they found him dead in his apartment. He hung himself."
A young woman in Saipan also reportedly tried to kill
herself after a painful breakup. It was her second attempt. She has been
advised to undergo counseling at the Community Guidance Center.
Suicide among our youth and young adults is on the rise in the Pacific.
It is a growing concern in Guam, CNMI, and on other Pacific islands. Many
people ask why. Is it drugs? A lack of family commitment? Dual income
families? Is it due to a change in society’s values? Most important,
how can we help our young people?
An article at the National Institute of Mental Health
website answers frequently asked questions about suicide (www.nimh.nih.gov/
research/suicidefaq.cfm). Although this article approaches suicide
from a Western perspective, there are still many similarities and lessons
to be learned. If your school or community wants more assistance on this
subject, contact Harvey Lee at the Pacific Comprehensive Regional Assistance
Center at PREL by phone at (808) 441-1300 or by email at leeh@prel.org,
or contact PREL’s local service center.
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