Ministry of education begins rollout of new teachers’ pay structure and classification
The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) has officially launched the implementation of the new Teachers’ Pay Structure and Classification, effective yesterday, Thursday, May 15.
This marks a significant step in the ongoing implementation of the Education Act 2023, which aligns with the Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) policy of education, a statement by MEHRD yesterday said.
The initiative underscores the government’s ongoing commitment to improving and supporting the teaching profession in a fair and equitable manner, the statement said.
Teachers play a critical role in educating the nation’s children and preparing them for future careers and life – they are highly valued for the essential work they do in educating the nation’s children.
The introduction of this new pay structure reinforces the Solomon Islands Government’s commitment to upholding the teaching profession with dignity and fairness, the statement said.
Starting May 15 all teachers across the country will have received their salaries under the new pay structure, following the completion of a comprehensive teacher data verification and validation process.
This process involved collaboration between the MEHRD Teaching Service Division, the MEHRD Education Management and Information System (EMIS), and the Aurion payroll system, managed jointly by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) and the Ministry of Public Service.
The new position-based teacher classification applies to classroom teachers, senior classroom teachers, and school leaders or principals, ensuring equity and fairness in salary distribution, the statement said.
Additionally, it establishes a foundation for performance-based salary progression in the future. This new salary structure operates independently of the Public Service Unified Pay Structure and applies to all school-based teachers at both the primary and secondary levels.
Phase 1 of the teacher classification and salary concentrated on teachers teaching the Primary Preparation Year, Primary Schools and Secondary Schools. Phase 2 will concentrate on TVET teachers and Early Childhood Education (ECE) centre teachers, and the review of teachers’ allowances.
TVET and ECE Teachers
Dr Rodie stated that for teachers in the Rural Training Centres, integration into the new structure will be addressed in Phase 2, which will be the next project undertaken by MEHRD in preparation for implementation, ideally in 2026. In the meantime, teachers at the Rural Training Centres will continue to receive their fortnightly salaries at the current level/rate they have been receiving up to this payday (Thursday, 15 May). MEHRD is in the process of finalizing a TVET policy aimed at modernizing the TVET system in the country, with plans for implementation around June/July 2025. Once this policy is in place, the classification and salary structure for Rural Training Centre teachers will be aligned with the newly introduced wage structure for primary and secondary teachers.
Similarly, new ECE teachers who may have joined ECE centres in 2025 but are not yet registered with MEHRD may be paid according to the previous ECE wage level, provided they register as ECE teachers with MEHRD. As part of the revised Education System structure, in accordance with the Education Act, 2023, children aged 3 to 4 years are expected to attend ECE classes. MEHRD is also finalizing a policy to modernize the ECE teacher classification and salary structure to align with the new framework.
Registered ECE teachers who were previously recruited by ECE operators and have since been reassigned by the Ministry (starting in 2023) to teach 5-year-old children in the Primary Preparation Year (PPY) classes throughout the country’s primary schools are expected to receive the new pay structure.
Job Evaluation and Allowances
The new pay structure is based on the results of an extensive job evaluation of teachers and school leaders. Benchmarking was conducted against roles with similar responsibilities and complexity, considering factors such as qualifications, experience, teacher standards, and working conditions.
MEHRD is also working on a proposed supplementary allowance scheme, similar to those in other public service professions. The aim is to streamline administrative processes by consolidating allowances into a single pay package.
Budget and Cost
The rollout of the new pay structure and classification is supported by the 2025 MEHRD Payroll budget, which totals $64 million. This budget was approved by both Cabinet and Parliament in 2024. Dr. Rodie, emphasized that the reform was long overdue but acknowledged the significant amount of work required to make it a reality. This included reviewing and replacing the Teaching Service Handbook (2011) with new Administrative Instructions, as well as conducting research to ensure the teacher classification and salary structure were comparable to those in other Pacific Island countries or developing countries who face circumstances as our country’s education system.
An experienced technical advisor, who had worked in the education sectors of three Pacific Island countries, was brought in to assist the Senior Management Team at MEHRD, as well as staff from the Teaching Service Division, Education Providers, to develop the newly introduced Teacher Classification and Salary Structure. MEHRD also received technical support from the Ministry of Public Service, and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury Payroll staff, as well as the Aurion system experts. These collaborative efforts were vital to the successful completion of what is now described today as the “re-levelling” of teachers’ salaries, which essentially represents a salary increase for teachers. Dr. Rodie confirmed that the pay-out to teachers cover the backpay for teachers, effective from 2nd February 2025.
Dr. Rodie also confirmed that teachers are entitled to a 3% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), with backdated payments to account for any delays in processing. These payments are expected to be made to teachers, and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury will inform us the actual date when the COLA would be paid to teachers.
Dr. Rodie extends his acknowledgement and thanks to the Governments of Solomon Islands, Australia and New Zealand through the Education Sector Support Program for the financial and technical assistance rendered to the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development to make the Teacher Salary Relevelling project a reality.
