By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
NGERULMUD, Palau – Senator Andrew Tabelual is pushing back against remarks made during President Surangel Whipps Jr.’s March 19 press conference, where the Senate Education Committee’s handling of Dr. Dale Jenkins’ reappointment as Minister of Education came under scrutiny.
In a letter to Senate President Hokkons Baules, listed as Miscellaneous Communication 12-80, Tabelual disputed statements made by presidential communications officer Oyaol Ngirairikl. Ngirairikl had suggested that Dr. Jenkins was given insufficient time to respond to the committee’s request for information.
“If the committee had provided Dr. Jenkins with the list of questions and the data they needed, along with reasonable time to provide a full and comprehensive report…” Ngirairikl said, noting that the request was made late Friday afternoon and required a response by 9 a.m. the following Monday. “So it was a little bit rushed,” she added.
Tabelual firmly rejected that characterization during last week’s Senate session.
“That statement, Mr. President, is not true,” he said, noting that the Senate Education Committee had sent a formal letter to Dr. Jenkins on January 31, 2025, requesting the “Palau Public School Report 2021–2024.” The letter, he said, asked for a submission “at your earliest convenience.”
Tabelual further clarified that the letter referenced during the press conference—the one described as rushed—was actually sent on February 7, and that Dr. Jenkins submitted his answers on February 10. He said the letter contained “routine questions,” including inquiries about Jenkins’ health and any potential conflicts of interest.
At the center of the debate is whether Palau’s educational system has improved under Dr. Jenkins’ leadership. While the Office of the President cited test results and data indicating student success—particularly referencing Iowa Test scores—Tabelual contended that relying on one metric alone does not provide a full picture.
He emphasized that many school principals and educators have expressed concern that the Ministry of Education is overlooking broader indicators of academic progress.
With the reappointment process unresolved, President Whipps continues to serve as Acting Minister of Education. As of this writing, no new nominee has been announced.