BY SAMIE WAIKORI
The Premier of Guadalcanal Province, William Atu, has announced that his government is taking decisive action to improve education services in the province.
A key milestone in this effort is an agreement between the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) and Guadalcanal Province, making it the first province to sign an agency agreement with the ministry under the new Education Act 2023.
Premier Atu explained that one of the main reasons for establishing this agreement was the concerning performance of schoolchildren from Guadalcanal revealed in recent reports.
He described the findings as “sad,” and warned that if this trend continues, schools in Guadalcanal will struggle to compete with those across the Solomon Islands.
“We need educated people in our province, and education is the only way forward. But if teacher absenteeism persists and parents are not actively supporting their children’s education, we don’t expect miracles,” Atu said.
The premier also pointed out that mobile phones have become a significant contributing factor to poor student performance, with many schoolchildren spending more time on phones than studying.
He calls for urgent action to address this issue.
Atu said following the signing of the agreement, the province has recruited a new Chief Education Officer (CEO) and Principal Education Officers (PEOs) to oversee various regions of Guadalcanal.
“These officials will visit schools to ensure that students, teachers, and other stakeholders are fulfilling their responsibilities.
“So far, their findings indicate that in areas outside Honiara, teacher absenteeism is alarmingly high and this is something that needs immediate attention,” he said.
Additionally, Premier Atu highlighted the rapid population growth in Guadalcanal, noting that the province’s birth rate is currently 3.2%, surpassing the national rate of 2.7%.
“I raise this concern because a growing population will put further strain on our schools, and there may not be enough space to accommodate all the children,” Atu said.
He also emphasized while the population is increasing, the country’s economic growth is not keeping pace, which could lead to greater social challenges within our communities.
The Premier warned that, without proper intervention, the province could face a situation in the next decade where large portions of the population could become illiterate, posing a significant problem for the future.
While emphasizing the importance of improving education in the province, Atu appeals to schools, teachers, and other stakeholders for their continued support in these efforts.
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