BY INDY MAEALASIA

Guadalcanal Provincial Government (GPG) has become the first province to formally sign an agency agreement with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) to implement the Education Act 2023.

The agreement signed on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at the Honiara Hotel, formalises the partnership between the two parties and marks a major step in decentralising education governance in the country.

Minister for Education, Tozen Leokana said the agreement is a step forward; realizing the vision of decentralisation and inclusive governance and bringing decision-making and support closer to the schools, children and communities.

Under this agreement, the province is given a greater authority in planning and managing its education system, while still being aligned to MEHRD’s national goals, policies and the new act.

“It empowers the Guadalcanal provincial government to make decisions on educational matters that are timely, protocol-specific and based on realities on the ground,” Minister Leokana said.

Speaking to Island Sun, Provincial Education Minister, John Botsi said with the agreement, the provincial government is setting up an additional body to ensure the smooth implementation of the act.

Botsi described the signing as a “new chapter in the history of education”. 

“We are simply repealing the old act so in a way, we are saying good bye to the old act and welcoming the new act,” Botsi said.

The signing ceremony was attended by officials from the MEHRD, GPG and representatives of Education providers and schools.

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE Guadalcanal Provincial Government is introducing sweeping reforms to further improve the province’s education sector.

Facing a growing population surpassing 180,000, Premier Willie Atu said education is a key priority for his government.

“The population increase is something that we take on board as an opportunity to make a difference,” said Atu.

The premier said that key policies and programs are in place to implement the new Education Act.

“One of the central pillars of this reform is strengthening our manpower,” he said.

He revealed that his government has increased its human resources budget to support structural reforms, and senior officers have already been recruited to lead the province’s education offices, with more appointments expected soon.

Premier Atu also announced the development of a draft Provincial Education Coordination Plan, which will be shared with relevant ministries upon its completion.

“This is a clear demonstration of our seriousness and readiness to deliver on our mandate under the new Act,” he said.

Under the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF), the premier confirmed that GPG remains committed to improving school infrastructure, learning facilities, and overall education environments.

“Community participation will remain a cornerstone of the province’s education development agenda,” he added.

Premier Atu also highlighted that under the government’s three-year rolling plan, they have taken into account assessment results indicating that schools in Guadalcanal are underperforming in literacy, numeracy, science, and mathematics.

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By RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

Buma Pastoral Training Centre’s classroom in West Kwaio, Malaita Province is in need of urgent renovation.

According to Fr Charles Taloi Kwai, Director of the centre, the building has been standing since the 1960s thus is not safe to continue using it.

He said that while he oversees and manages the training centre, he’ll try his best to acquire funds to renovate the building. 

Kwai said the renovation of the old classroom will not require any funding from the Diocese of Auki, but he said he will send request letters to his friends in and around Malaita Province. 

He mentioned that he has some good news from his friends so he’s hopeful that he can do this.

However, along with renovating the classroom, the catechists also plan and aim to build some new staff houses when they come back to take Block 4 in December 2025.

The centre is built and manned by the Catholic Diocese of Auki.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Agita Rex, Chairman of the Solomon Islands Honey Cooperative Society (SIHCS), is optimistic about research work on the threats affecting the country’s bee population.

Mr Rex, a bee farmer himself is also part of the group carrying out research work.

He said the programme is supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

Rex expressed that the research aims to tackle disease and what practices farmers should adopt in terms of safeguarding their bee farms and their population.

“It comes under the project Strengthening Beekeeping Industries for Production and Livelihood in the Solomon Islands,” Rex added.

Speaking to the Island Sun at this year’s National Trade Fair in Honiara, Rex said the Solomon Islands Honey Cooperative Society was revived in 2024 since the 1990s and early 2000s due to the ethnic tension.

He mentioned that today, honey populations are reducing due to invasive species, and farmers cannot prevent the spread due to lack of knowledge.

Rex said so far, research on how to deal with the pest, varroa mites, has yielded a positive result.

“Here in Guadalcanal, bees are not healthy due to the virus, varroa mites that weaken bees to forage,” he said.

Rex added that based on the research, it is believed that varroa mite was introduced into the country from Asian bees through logging.

“One of the approved bee treatments against varroa mites is Bayvarol strips. We also use supplement feeding with local resources such as banana, pumpkin, pawpaw and sugar syrup. Results have started to look promising based on the research,” concluded Mr Rex.

He said that Guadalcanal Plains has around 30 bee farmers under the SIHCS.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A meeting that proved to be highly informative and insightful was recently held between the Solomon Islands Rangers Association and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Embassy in Honiara.

Held at the embassy, the meeting between Solomon Islands Rangers Association and officials from the Chinese embassy was about a value-added initiative for conservation.

The meeting will pave way for Solomon Islands Rangers staff to participate in pre-arranged seminars organised by the embassy focused on critical conservation and climate issues in the future.

In addition, the meeting also provided a valuable opportunity to learn, establish connections, and enhance Solomon Islands Rangers’ ongoing efforts while revitalising both parties’ collaboration with community-based conservation initiatives throughout the Solomon Islands.

Members of the SI Rangers team who attended the meeting were SI Rangers Programme manager Eddie Huitarau, Field officer Clerah Maenuia and Guadalcanal Province Head Ranger, Cyril Kulisuia.

Officials from the Chinese embassy were Third Secretary, Zhang Juchao and Ma Yingmei from the Cooperation Section within the Embassy’s Consular and Overseas Chinese Affairs Division.

Third Secretary of the Chinese Embassy, Zhang Juchao appreciates the noble and commendable efforts carried out by the rangers’ office since its inception in 2015.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

People with Disability Solomon Islands (PWDSI) have, for the first time, showcased their talents and skills at the 2025 National Trade Fair (NTF) in Honiara.

Speaking to Island Sun in an exclusive interview, Stella Waihaho, PWDSI national disability forum coordinator, said that the event is an opportunity to expose and showcase the skills and talents PWDSI possesses.

She said that a total of six affiliates, including the Solomon Islands Deaf Association, blind, vision impairment, the pioneers of the family, psycho-social disability, youths, the umbrella body, and the National Disability Forum were part of the event.

“Despite the challenges they faced, they came out to showcase their abilities to the public. To show that we can also do things. That is one of the important aspects of this NTF to us,” said Ms Waihaho.

She also highlighted that the event provided the opportunity for the PWDSI to gain confidence to take part in such a major event.

“It is important for us to gain the confidence to come out in public. Most of the time, we do not participate in such big shows. It’s an honour and our chance under our space to come out and showcase what we have,” she said.

At the event, PWDSI showcased products such as lavalava, carvings, homemade fans, baskets, earrings, and cooked foods.

“We are happy to join. This is our first time. Thank you, organisers, for including us in this year’s event, National Trade Fair,” she said.

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BY NED GAGAHE

New environment minister Polycarp Paea says his ministry is acting to stop encroachment into the Mataniko river.

Member of Parliament for South New Georgia Rendova and Tetepare, David Gina, raised concerns over developer encroachments along the Mataniko River.

Speaking during Monday’s Parliament sitting, he questioned what actions the government is taking to address the issue.

Responding to the question, Minister for Environment Polycarp Paea confirmed that his ministry is actively enforcing the Environment Act 1998.

“All prescribed developments, including retention walls, must submit a Public Environment Report and an Environment Management Plan,” Paea said.

He said the ministry will continue monitoring developments along the Mataniko River to ensure compliance.

“Section 17 of the Environment Act sets out the Environmental Impact Assessment process to manage the impact of encroachment,” he added.

Paea said some businesses are building retention walls to protect properties from erosion and floods.

He stressed the importance of working closely with the Ministry of Lands, Honiara City Council, and the Ministry of Mines to ensure developers follow the law.

Minister Paea said the Honiara Local Planning Scheme 2025 provides land use and development rules that apply to all of Honiara, including sensitive areas like the Mataniko River.

“Effective enforcement by the Honiara Town and Planning Board is crucial,” he added.

Paea confirmed that these regulations also apply to other rivers, such as the Lungga.

In a supplementary question Opposition Leader Matthew Wale asked whether all current developments along the Mataniko River meet environmental standards.

Minister Paea responded that in the past 12 months, authorities had demolished several illegal structures built along the river.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Parliament on Monday, July 14, 2025 witnessed two key developments, the swearing-in of a new Member of Parliament and the announcement of a new Leader of the Independent Group.

Mary Daniella Zae Garu, the newly elected MP for West Guadalcanal, officially took her oath of allegiance before the commencement of the day’s proceedings.

Clerk to Parliament Jefferson Hallu administered the oath during a brief ceremony.

Garu won the by-election held on 4 June 2025, following the passing of her late husband, former MP Moses Garu.

Her swearing-in fulfils the constitutional requirement under Section 63, which states that all Members of Parliament must take an oath before participating in the business of the House.

In a separate announcement, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Morris Toiraena informed the House that Manasseh Maelanga, MP for East Malaita and former Deputy Prime Minister, has been appointed as the new Leader of the Parliamentary Independent Group.

He replaces Peter Kenilorea Jr., who previously held the position.

Deputy Speaker Toiraena confirmed that, in accordance with Section 66(2) of the Constitution, the Governor-General officially appointed Maelanga to the role on 6 June 2025.

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