Public Education in Micronesia started in early 20th Century. Germans first introduced public education system in Micronesia with a purpose to make the islanders learn European work ethics and the desire for financial gain. Education was made compulsory for children of age 6 to 13 years.

During World War II, Japanese occupied the island and started their own public school. Japanese language was introduced in the Micronesian classrooms. Schools were eventually established in each of the six island groups, with a minimum requirement of three years of instruction for children aged 8 to 14. The teaching curriculum was not only limited to teaching Japanese and included moral and vocational education, mathematics, geography, and exercise. Like their German predecessors, Japanese authorities wished the natives of Micronesia to adopt their value system. By the end of the 1920s nearly 50 percent of all school-aged children were enrolled in school.

At the end of World War II, a United Nations Trusteeship Agreement gave the United States administrative authority over the Micronesian islands—which had become known as the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands (TTPI)—and also the responsibility for helping the people of TTPI become self-reliant.

Eight years of education is compulsory in Micronesia. Children start attending primary school at the age of 6 years. The eight-year curriculum includes science, mathematics, language arts, social studies, and physical education. Religious groups also offer private schooling. Public secondary education in Micronesia is available free of charge. Education is also provided through private schools like Pohnpei Agricultural and Trade School and Xavier High School in Chuuk.

According to Census report 1994, approximately 76 percent of all residents receive some sort of public education, with 30.3 percent completing some elementary school, 15.1 percent completing some high school, 13.6 percent holding a high school diploma, 7.5 completing some college, 6.1 percent holding an associates degree, 3.1 percent holding a bachelors degree, and 1.6 percent pursuing graduate studies.

The College of Micronesia-FSM is the only institution of higher education in the country. It offers various two- and three-year associate degree programs. In the late 1990s, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved a land grant to the College of Micronesia to construct a campus in Pohnpei. Many students seeking higher education attend the University of Guam.

Upon establishment of FSM government in 1979 a Division of Education was created as part of the Department of Social Services. In 1992, FSM's Congress passed PL 7-97, which called for the establishment of a full-fledged Department of Education, complete with four divisions: Curriculum, Standards, Testing, and Evaluation; Vocational Education Manpower Development and Training; Postsecondary and Scholarship; and Federal Community and Foreign Assistance.

In 1991, the National Literacy Act was passed which allowed for the creation of the FSM Adult Education Program two years later. The program offers adult education and literacy training to adults in Micronesia.

Micronesia joined UNESCO on October 19, 1999 and is covered by the Organization's Office in Apia in Samoa. The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) spends more than 6% of their GDP on education. This achievement was hailed by the UNESCO Director-General when he visited the FSM in August 2005. As of September 2006, Micronesia has 3 schools participating in UNESCO’s Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet).