Kiribati - Personal background

Teburoro Tito was born on 25 August 1953 at Tabiteaua North (a northern island of the Gilbert group). He started his primary education at St. Patrick School in 1959 and left in 1966 to relocate to Tabwiroa, Abaiong (a southern island belonging to the Gilbert group). There he began attending St. Joseph's College and graduated in 1969 with a Colony Junior Certificate. He continued his secondary education at King George V (Government Secondary School). After graduating from secondary school in 1970, Tito received a government scholarship in 1971 to study at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Suva, Fiji. He graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in organic chemistry and ecology, and a graduate certificate in education. Tito was an active member of the student body and, in 1976, he became president of the USP Students Association. In 1977, he became student coordinator for the University of the South Pacific Students Association, remaining in Suva until 1980. Since his return to Kiribati, he has resided in South Tarawa. In 1981, he attended the Papua New Guinea Administrative College to study statistics.

Tito is an avid sportsman, particularly when it comes to soccer. He served as the chairman of the Kiribati Football Association from 1980 to 1994. He is married to Nei Keina Tito and has one child.