Non-formal education (NFE) programmes in Tuvalu are offered by a number of providers. The Tuvalu Overseas Seamens Union (TOSU) runs a non-formal training programme looking at health, personal development, leadership issues and positive mental aptitude for its seafarers. The Tuvalu Association of NGOs (TANGO) runs various NFE programmes on health and sustainable development themes, and the Tuvalu Sports Association runs sports related non-formal workshops and training. The Luaseuta Foundation based on the island of Niutao provides NFE programmes of relevance to the islanders, and the USP Tuvalu Campus runs continuing NFE programmes in IT, handicrafts and arts, basic English skills and a raft of other areas (Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat 2007).
The available statistics on funding for NFE shows that the sector is poorly funded when compared to formal education. In addition, the NFE sector is currently lacking coordination. The Government has agreed to have a voluntary NFE coordinator on each island; however there is a need for key personnel to be well-qualified and well-versed in the field of NFE, which is not often the case when relying on volunteer and poorly paid workers (Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat 2007).
