It's 5.30am, and another day begins in Run. The dawn prayer ends, motorboats begin to roar in the docks, and children are off to school as the sun rises. The island has four schools, two of which are tuition-free state primary and middle schools. To continue into high school, youngsters have to leave the island.

Life on Run is staid and quiet. No cars and motorbikes can be heard rumbling along its streets. Its population of 2,500 comprises 486 fa