Higher education on Funafuti is mainly provided through the University of the South Pacific Extension Centre (USPEC). USPEC offers a number of programmes - both skills training (e.g., computer studies) and tertiary education (i.e., the first one or two years of formal degree studies in selected subjects). For most tertiary studies programme, however, it is necessary for Tuvalu students to study abroad, most often at USP where they complete studies begun at the extension center in Funafuti. USPEC, however, offers a bare minimum due to the lack of a science laboratory and access to adequate high-speed Internet (ADB 2004b).

Skills training in Tuvalu is offered through six major TVET providers through various modes and at different levels: Motufoua Secondary school through the Fiji Junior Certificate (FJC), Tuvalu Maritime Training Institute (TMTI), private commercial schools, the Public Works Department Training Centre, non-formal opportunities offered mainly through NGOs and opportunities in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga (UNESCO 2008).

Although Tuvalu has achieved near universal access to general education, problems emerge at secondary level and later at tertiary, particularly with access to TVET for girls.  According to the 2002 census, 9.4% of males over 7% of females had continued on to complete tertiary qualifications, which can be linked to the availability of the Maritime Training Institute providing the opportunity for boys to access further tertiary studies (UNESCO 2008). 

Although tertiary education is offered on Tuvalu through the University of South Pacific, the local Extension Centre only offers a bare minimum due to the lack of a science laboratory that prevents it from offering relevant science courses, such as marine studies. It is further lacking of access to adequate high-speed Internet and thus preventing efficient utilization of course offerings at the Suva campus through distance learning (ADB 2004b). 

Additionally, there is a crucial need to establish a National Training Council and a National TVET Policy to guide development of the sub-sector as well as the need for a TVET curriculum and trainer programme to make sure that needs of the outer islands are met (UNESCO 2008). 

The formal higher education and TVET institutions fall under the management of the Department of Education and management, budget and curriculum management are centralized (ADB 2004a). The Ministry of Education is further advocating a new National Training Council (NTC) tasked with preparing a five year plan to be administered by the NTC with inputs from government, private sector and NGOs (ADB 2004b).

The Tuvalu Government is aiming to introduce technical and vocational education and training in junior secondary schools at two selected locations in order to alleviate crowding of years 9 and 10 students in the Motufoua secondary school. In line with Government priorities, the draft Education and Training Sector Master Plan focuses on (i) examining the feasibility of reintroducing vocational and life skills into the islands through community training centers; and (ii) assessing alternative funding strategies, including integration of private sector provisions (ADB 2004a).