Establishing Pacific Open Secondary College: An Institutional Framework for Digital-First Adult Secondary Education Across Australia and the Pacific

This publication presents the proposed institutional framework for the establishment of Pacific Open Secondary College, a proposed digital-first educational institution intended to support adult learners seeking to complete, formalise or improve recognised secondary school qualifications. The paper examines the educational need for flexible adult secondary education, particularly for learners in regional and rural Australia, mature-age learners, new migrants, workers requiring recognised qualifications, and learners across the Pacific region. It proposes an institutional model that combines digital delivery with qualified teacher support and contractual partnerships for residential learning, supervised assessment, and practical educational activities where required. Rather than functioning as a registration application or accreditation submission, this publication establishes the conceptual, governance, operational, and public policy foundations of the proposed institution. It discusses educational philosophy, governance principles, transparency, quality assurance, regulatory considerations, technology architecture, implementation planning, and anticipated public benefit. The publication forms part of a continuing research program examining digital educational institutions, adult secondary education, educational governance, and lifelong learning infrastructure. This publication is an institutional concept paper. It does not represent registration, accreditation, government approval, or legal advice. This publication is issued as part of the Adamson Research Institute publication series and is intended to support consultation with educational institutions, regulators, governments, industry, and community stakeholders regarding the future development of flexible adult secondary education across Australia and the Pacific region.