BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Babatana Rangers in South Choiseul have completed a five-day training program held at the Lauru Training and Resource Centre (LRTC).

Babatana is located along the Kolombangara River within the Mount Maetambe-Kolombangara River Corridor, an area well-known for its rich biodiversity and home to the Babatana Rainforest Conservation Project.

The region also supports several surrounding villages that benefit from the conservation initiative.

The training, conducted by the Solomon Islands Rangers Association, aims to strengthen rangers’ knowledge and skills in managing the Babatana Protected Area.

Participants were introduced to their roles and responsibilities and learned how to effectively safeguard natural resources and biodiversity within their communities.

Over the five days, rangers covered a wide range of topics, including:

• Management of Protected Areas and Marine Protected Areas.
• Leadership in conservation work.
• Effective communication strategies with local communities.
• Health, safety, and first aid protocols.
• Environmental incident reporting and emergency response.
• Conflict resolution and issue management in Protected Areas.
• Basic fieldwork, surveys, and data collection methods.

The program was made possible with support from the New Zealand Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

The Babatana Rainforest Conservation Project continues to play a key role in preserving one of Choiseul’s most important ecological corridors, while empowering local rangers to take the lead in community-based conservation.

Photo: Supplied

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

BY CHRIS ALEX

The third-year nursing students of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) proudly presented a water tank to the Faculty of Nursing, Medicine, and Health Sciences on Thursday.

This significant donation serves as a heartfelt token of appreciation for the years of invaluable learning and personal growth experienced by the students at the institution.

The initiative, entirely conceived and executed by the students, was made possible through dedicated fundraising efforts by the class.

This collective endeavor beautifully reflects their strong sense of teamwork, profound gratitude, and an inspiring commitment to giving back to the educational establishment that has profoundly shaped their academic and professional journeys.

Dean Dr Harrington extended his commendation to the students for their remarkable generosity and proactive spirit. He underscored the substantial practical value of the water tank, particularly emphasizing its crucial role in safeguarding students’ health and well-being.

Harrington highlighted how the new infrastructure will ensure continuous access to clean drinking water, thereby fostering a more conducive and uninterrupted learning environment for all.

For the graduating students, this project transcends as a mere gift; it embodies a lasting legacy they aspire to leave behind for future cohorts.

Their actions powerfully demonstrate exemplary leadership, unwavering unity, and a deep-seated commitment to service within the broader University community. The Faculty and the University community express immense pride in their students’ initiative and dedication.

Photo: SINU

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

BY MORRIS NAFU

The Minister of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) Tozen Leokana, pledges to continue supporting the teaching profession in Solomon Islands, backed by development partners, to ensure educators receive the necessary resources.

Speaking at the World Teachers’ Day celebrations in Honiara yesterday, Leokana emphasised the importance of empowering teachers through leadership training and involvement in decision-making processes.

“When teachers participate in shaping policies, they bring real insights from the classroom, making education more impactful,” he said.

The minister encourages educators to step up in leadership roles, innovate their methods, and focus on enhancing teaching quality and student outcomes at their schools.

He highlighted three key pillars—professional training, integration of technology, and fostering leadership—as essential to transforming teaching into a more collaborative field.

Aligning with the national theme, “Transformation of Education Begins with Teacher Recognition,” Leokana reiterated the government’s dedication to honoring educators as the foundation of educational reform.

“As your minister, I reaffirm our pledge that real change in our education system starts by valuing, respecting, and prioritizing teachers,” he stated.

He described true recognition as more than lip service, it involves appreciating teachers’ daily dedication, passion, and professionalism in molding the nation’s future.

Under the Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), efforts are underway in close partnership with MEHRD, the Solomon Islands Teachers Association (SINTA), and other stakeholders to address key issues.

These collaborations aim to improve employment terms for teachers, broaden access to training programs, and bolster support systems for effective classroom delivery.

“These are not short-term solutions but meaningful steps to tackle the real challenges in teacher welfare and career development,” the minister noted.

Leokana urges patience and unity, assuring that through collective action, teachers’ vital contributions will not dim but grow even stronger.

He reminded educators of their profound influence, often unseen at first but revealed years later when former students credit them for building confidence and guiding life paths.

“The legacy of teaching isn’t about wealth or prestige—it’s about the destinies you shape in those classrooms,” he said.

In facing 21st-century hurdles like climate change, global shifts, and technological advances, the minister stressed that Solomon Islands’ true wealth lies in its people, whom teachers nurture as the country’s greatest asset.

On behalf of the government, MEHRD, and SINTA, Minister Leokana expressed deep gratitude for teachers’ sacrifices, hard work, and steadfast service to the nation’s youth.

“Happy World Teachers’ Day to all of you. May God bless you as you continue shaping our children’s futures,” he concluded.

Photo: Supplied

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

BY MORRIS NAFU

Hundreds of educators from across Honiara and surrounding Schools in Guadalcanal came together at the National Auditorium yesterday to honour “World Teachers Day”.

The event, attended by more than 1000 teachers, was locally themed “Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers’ Recognition”.

Normally observed on October 5 each year, the celebration was shifted to Friday this time around, as the official date fell on a Sunday.

In a keynote speech, Minister for Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), Hon. Tozen Leokana, praised the dedication of Solomon Islands’ teachers and urges greater teamwork in the profession.

“Today, we join the global community in celebrating World Teachers’ Day.

“This is a day to honour the noblest profession – the one that underpins every other calling in society,” Leokana said.

He described the occasion as a time for appreciation, introspection, and a time to acknowledge the sacrifices teachers make to guide current and future generations.

Leokana highlighted the global theme, “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession,” and tied it to the local focus on recognition as the foundation for educational reform.

“Collaboration and recognition are the pillars for building our education system’s future.

“Doctors, engineers, judges, scientists, entrepreneurs, and leaders – they all start in your classrooms, inspired by your words, guidance, and example,” the minister said.

Quoting a well-known saying, Leokana added: “A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite imagination, and instil a love for learning”.

He commended teachers for bringing enlightenment to remote villages and islands, dispelling ignorance and building confidence amidst challenges.

The minister acknowledges the tough realities many teachers face, including limited resources, lack of textbooks or pensions, and relying on personal funds to support students.

“Yet every morning, you rise early, prepare your lessons, and give your all to the children in your care. This isn’t just work, it’s service and love in action.

“As your Minister of Education, I sincerely thank you for your unwavering commitment to teaching and molding our children’s tomorrow,” he expressed.

Stressing the benefits of teamwork, he noted that when teachers collaborate, students reap the rewards.

“I encourage all schools and educators to nurture this spirit in classrooms, provinces, and teacher networks,” Leokana said.

 “How do we strengthen this collaboration?”, he asked.

He offered practical ideas, starting with embedding teamwork into teacher training from the outset.

“Professional learning and mentoring should make collaboration second nature,” he suggested.

Leokana also calls for leveraging technology in an increasingly digital world.

“While it can’t replace the human touch of teaching, tech can connect educators across provinces and subjects, opening doors to shared knowledge and new possibilities,” he noted.

Photo: Supplied

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The timeframe proposed to complete the Kirakira wharf project has been rescheduled from July 2025 to February 2026.

Premier Stanley Siapu of Makira Ulawa province revealed this to Island Sun yesterday, explaining that the rescheduling was due to delay of materials for the project in Honiara.

Since the past months, he said work on the project has been going on a sluggish pace due to delay of supply of materials to Kirakira.

Siapu said his government understands a similar project is currently being constructed in Bellona Island, and implemented by the same contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Cooperation (CCECC) and the share of materials for the two projects could lead to the delay for the Kirakira wharf project.

Despite this, he stated that work is still ongoing and he hopes that the project will complete prior to February 2026.

“I will liaise with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and relevant bodies to ensure the project completes on February 2026, and not on later schedule.

“In pursue of that, I will be in Honiara around mid this month to talk with MID and others, so that we work together to achieve the project early next year,” Siapu said.

He said so far, most of the work on the project has been done and remaining work is expected to be carried out from now to February 2026

Siapu added that this is the first ever wharf project for Kirakira.

The SBD $21.9 million project is funded by Asia Development Bank (ADB) through the national government.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Premier of Makira Ulawa province, Stanley Siapu says his government is focussing on the next phase of the Kirakira Cocoa Processing Plant, which is procurement of processing machineries for the factory.

Speaking to the paper yesterday, he highlighted the tireless effort of his government with the national government through its line ministries on this landmark economic project.

“After the completion of the first phase of the project which is the building, it is now left with the second phase, which is instalment of processing machineries in the building.

“Recently, the national government has reached out to a company in China which was interested to supply machineries for the project.

“Their business policy is to deliver an upfront payment before they could work on the machineries, according to whatever design can be provided by the government,” Siapu said.

He added that in terms of machineries, designs have already been prepared and await government to do the upfront payment and send it over.

Siapu said this is the current status of the Kirakira Cocoa Processing Plant, stressing the commitment of his government behind this revolutionary project.

The premier said the project was funded by the national government through its line ministries such as; agriculture, commerce and national planning.

He also mentioned that recently, the national government through Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock came up with an idea to review the initial agreement on the project.

Siapu said this will help development partners to have clear understanding on the project and will lay a foundation for potential investors.

He stated that his government will continue to work together with the national government and development partners to ensure the project operates and serves the people of Makira Ulawa province and Solomon Islands.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Premier of Makira Ulawa Province, Stanley Siapu says his government is on track with its preparation to establish sister relations with Guizhou province of China.

During the middle of this year, Siapu and his Minister of Commerce, Hon Martin Karani joined a delegation led by the Deputy Speaker to Parliament and MP for East Honiara, Morris To’iraena to a Global Eco Forum in Guiyang City in China.

On the margin of the forum, the Premier and his team had the privilege to meet with officials from Guizhou province, and high on the discussion was the proposed sister relationship between the two provinces.

In an interview with the paper yesterday, Premier Siapu said after the dialogue, Makira Ulawa provincial government has been working cooperatively with the Chinese embassy office in Honiara on the initiative.

“At the moment, we are still working with the embassy office in Honiara on the understanding, which will lay the fabric for the sister relations.

“After we complete it, the two provinces will sign the formal establishment of the relationship,” he said.

The proposed sister-relationship will cement a foundation for exchange programs and partnership between the two provinces.

The interests of Makira Ulawa province under the cooperation with Guizhou include; health, education, fisheries, forestry, tourism and transportation.

In the meantime, Premier Siapu also highlighted support of his government behind similar arrangement between Ulawa Island and Arawa City in Japan.

He said the arrangement also gears towards cooperation on areas of development interests of the two regions.

Siapu noted that successful consultations have been carried out with communities on the initiative, by a committee that is leading the partnership.

He said he will be in Honiara around mid October and some of the businesses he will pursue are the province’s sister relation with Guizhou and the one with Ulawa and Arawa City in Japan.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]