Amid the CNMI Public School System Budget hearing at the legislature, community members spoke out about the disparity in support for Carolinian language and heritage studies teachers and programs.

“The Refaluwasch program under the PSS has not been treated equally with the Chamorro program. I hate standing here to bring this to your attention and every time we ask for something, the legislature did not give us the amount that we needed to hire more Refaluwasch teachers,” said CNMI resident Malua Peter. 

“Year after year, I have been hearing there is no money to hire teachers, Carolinian teachers, no one is applying. Yet, when I speak to the community, there have been people that are applying. I have been hearing there are no qualified applicants, but yet the qualifications and the certifications are person to person,” said another resident, Nasima Uddin. 

CNMI PSS told KUAM in a previous interview that there are 40 Chamorro and 16 Carolinian teachers and instructors. That doesn’t include Teacher Aides. Some community members called on lawmakers to conduct an oversight hearing.

“I humbly request that the Ways and Means Committee hold PSS accountable for greater transparency, follow through, and adherence to the constitutional mandates, particularly in regards to the poorly funded, understaffed, and overlooked CCLHS program and the Carolinian bilingual teachers,” CNMI resident Gregorie Towai said. 

The commissioner of education said they’re working with various stakeholders.

“As we speak we are currently conducting courses to certify future Carolninan teachers, an important project that we have been collaborating on since my arrival early this year,” said Dr. Lawrence Camacho, the Commissioner of Education, CNMI Public School System.