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Vanuatu inherited from Britain and France two incompatible systems and languages of education for its tiny, scattered population as well as political parties, which defined themselves as anglophone or francophone - a recipe for a divided society. Since independence much effort has been devoted to ensuring that children follow the same curriculum whether in English or French. The bilingual legacy is dauntingly expensive.

Overshadowing all is the fact that secondary education is still quite inadequate, with only one in three of those who complete primary school able to go on to a junior secondary school, and only a few of these finding places at a senior level. Vanuatu still needs a great deal of of international aid if it is to develop an educational system to meet the countries needs. Since it was first founded in 1986, the British Friends of Vanuatu has concentrated most of its efforts in the field of Education.

In September, 1999, the Annual General Meeting of the British Friends of Vanuatu endorsed the view that Education in Vanuatu should be the main focus of the association's efforts and available resources.  Four main educational priorities were established:

1. the payment school fees in selected hardship cases
2. the donation of books for libraries in Vanuatu schools
3. joint-sponsorship (with the ESP) of visiting headmasters
4. assistance and hospitality for visiting Vanuatu students

Working with other groups and organisations to achieve the aims outlined above, the British Friends of Vanuatu acknowledge with grateful thanks the assistance given by Bank Line Ltd in London and Hull, and the staff of the British High Commission in Port Vila, Vanuatu, without which none of the projects covered in this section would be possible.