Henry Falan

Henry Falan Photo: Jason D. Aubuchon

Henry Falan's answers to the problems that have plagued Micronesian educators since early Trust Territory times involve Santa Claus, Uncle Sam and local magic.

"I believe it will take a new generation of Micronesians to realize that Uncle Sam is gone-and I don't think he's coming back. Santa Claus doesn't come every day, only once a year, and local magic is not going to get the job done. We need to stop doing things that simply support the system, and start doing things that make a difference in the lives and learning of children."

It is ironic that as the Federated States of Micronesia enters a new period of transition-a newly-elected president, a newly appointed Secretary of Education, and 20 more years of U.S. Compact coming soon, Falan is jobless. The eight-year Yap State Director of Education did not survive the change over to Governor Robert A. Ruecho's administration last January and, by his own account, "left office rather abruptly and with unfinished business." Unfinished or not, Falan spent eight years bringing renewal to Yap's Department of Education.

Henry Falan has vision, which is often the single determining factor in leadership in the governments of Micronesia. Having vision is difficult, particularly in light of the basic challenges that Pacific educational directors are forced to confront daily. Overcrowded schools, antiquated curricula and insufficient funding are just a few of the difficulties Falan faced.

"We often do things that we think we ought to do," Falan says, "but we no longer do things that we need to do. We have a vision of where we should be, but little of where we are at-and, most importantly, who's responsible." In his previous capacity as chairman of the board for Pacific Resources for Education and Learning, a regional, non-profit institution that has been providing services for many years, Falan helped spawn innovative approaches to educational development. He is quick to note, however that "vision without action is useless." And action comes from conviction.

"In my eight years in office I have come to the conclusion that we need to manage by convictions," he adds. "People without convictions are like ships just floating, looking for direction. We need a purpose for the voyage and a destination even before we prepare for the trip."

If educating Micronesia's children has been the purpose of Falan's voyage, then there is no doubt that parental and community involvement lie at the heart of his navigation.

"We have certain human challenges that money cannot solve. If we go back to the communities, to the parents, there are a lot of things that we can do-even with the few resources that we have. Family is where education begins."

The call for a return to communities does not preclude the use of modern technology. The computer lab that Falan founded at Yap's Department of Education is state of the art. With satellite video teleconferencing capabilities and 24-hour Internet access, it is not surprising that the line of students waiting to get on line in Colonia often stretches out the door. The contract of a traditional outer-islander, bare-breasted before her computer monitor, is not a rare occurrence.

"When the leaders of this country were going to school, to get a good education one had to leave family and community to go to Hawaii and get an education," Falan says. "When they came back, they had to readjust, re-Yapese-ize themselves. And I tell you, that is a very painful process.

"Whether we admit it or not, change is happening as we speak. Do we adapt to the change, or do we adapt the change to us? I saw technology as a way of bringing education to children in the islands, while they are still with their families and living in communities."

Vision and change have been the undercurrent of Falan's eight years of leading the development of Yap's education-a journey that is far from over. What's next for Falan? "While I am enjoying time with my family, I feel that I am still able to contribute to education in Micronesia. It took a while to assess the situation (at Yap's Department of Education) and I really feel like we were just beginning to address change." In the coming years, look for Henry Falan to continue his role as a force for change.