Interrogating Colonial Discourse in Kiribati Secondary Education

The book "Interrogating Colonial Discourse in Kiribati Secondary Education" by Greg Burnett offers an in-depth analysis of the official representations of the people and nation of Kiribati in the central Pacific. It examines how various socially dominant groups, including colonial agents such as missionaries and administrators as well as I-Kiribati authorities, have shaped the identity and education system of the country. By analyzing a variety of official texts, five central discourses are identified that legitimize governance practices and, in particular, educational practices in Kiribati. These discourses, which develop in a loose chronology and partially overlap, include themes such as the construction of the I-Kiribati body, cultural authenticity, contradictory liberalism, economic development, and universalism. The study aims to challenge the prevailing discourses and discuss alternative educational approaches in Kiribati.