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Funding delays and budget limits stall school inspections

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

FUNDING delays in 2024 has prevented the Ministry of Education and Human Resources
Development (MEHRD) from carrying out some of its planned school inspections, a vital
process for maintaining education standards across the country.
Speaking before the Public Expenditure Committee (PEC) Tuesday, Director of the Ministry’s
Inspectorate Division, Emily Siriki said that a funding hold by the Ministry of Finance and
Treasury (MOFT) last year had impacted their inspections work, particularly in parts of Isabel,
Western Province, and South and North Malaita.
Siriki explained that while the division has a baseline budget of $1.6 million, the amount is
insufficient to cover the full scope of inspections and monitoring activities.
“In terms of the money for monitoring and continuous visiting schools doesn’t fit that the
amount that we have for the inspections,” she added.
Despite the financial challenges, she noted that inspections were still conducted in some
provinces, primarily targeting schools with probationary teachers.

In a few regions, inspections were made possible through financial support from local education providers.
In addition to financial constraints, Permanent Secretary Franco Rodie highlighted the significant
geographical challenges the division faces in reaching remote and widely dispersed schools
across the country, noting that while transportation by sea and road is available, it remains
limited PEC member and Opposition Leader Matthew Wale expressed concern over the budget shortfall
and urged the Ministry to safeguard the division’s funding from reallocation or cuts.
“This is critical. The funding needs to be ring-fenced. It cannot fall victim to reservations or
virements, or be starved of resources.” Wale said.

“If you’re not out and about, we don’t know what the real problems in schools are.

“Inspections must be safeguarded so that when you report to us, we understand the issues and can determine whether the government is responding adequately at the policy level,” he added.
Currently there are 21 school inspectors stationed across the nine provinces including Honiara.

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PM Manele extends condolences on passing of Pope Francis

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2014 Pastoral Visit of Pope Francis to Korea Closing Mass for Asian Youth Day August 17, 2014 Haemi Castle, Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam-do Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Korean Culture and Information Service Korea.net (www.korea.net) Official Photographer : Jeon Han This official Republic of Korea photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way. Also, it may not be used in any type of commercial, advertisement, product or promotion that in any way suggests approval or endorsement from the government of the Republic of Korea. If you require a photograph without a watermark, please contact us via Flickr e-mail. --------------------------------------------------------------- 교황 프란치스코 방한 제6회 아시아 청년대회 폐막미사 2014-08-17 충청남도 서산시 해미읍성 문화체육관광부 해외문화홍보원 코리아넷 전한

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has conveyed a formal message of condolence on behalf of the
Government and people of Solomon Islands following the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, who
was called to rest on Easter Monday, April 21.


In his message to His Excellency Monsignor Mauro Lalli, Non-Resident Ambassador Designate of the
Apostolic Nunciature to Solomon Islands, Prime Minister Manele expressed deep sorrow and
extended sincere sympathies to the Holy See, the global Catholic community, and all Catholics in
Solomon Islands.


“Pope Francis will be remembered for his faith, humility, and his consistent call for peace across the
world,” Manele said.


“His efforts to advocate for the disadvantaged and marginalised, as well as his messages of love,
hope, and the moral imperative to address global challenges such as climate change, remain
relevant and impactful.”


The Solomon Islands Government acknowledges the late Pope’s lifelong dedication to the Church
and to the values of compassion, justice, and unity, a statement by the Prime Minister’s Press
Secretariat said.


Pope Francis’ leadership marked a significant period in modern Church history and left an enduring
legacy, the statement said.


The Government and people of Solomon Islands join the international community in mourning the
passing of Pope Francis, while giving thanks for his life of service, the statement said.

Education urged to ensure all schools observe 198-day schedule

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

The Public Expenditure Committee (PEC) has called on the Ministry of Education and Human
Resources Development (MEHRD) to ensure that all schools, particularly those in rural areas
stick to the official 198-day academic calendar.


The call comes after the Ministry revealed that rural schools continue to underperform compared
to their urban counterparts in recent national examinations.


Appearing before the committee, Education Permanent Secretary Franco Rodie explained that
the Ministry regularly issues school calendars to Education Providers (EPs) and school principals
to guide annual planning, with the expectation that all schools follow the academic schedule
closely.


Rodie noted that schools seeking early closures or breaks for specific events are required to
notify their respective EPs in advance.


PEC member and Opposition Leader Matthew Wale stressed the need for the Ministry to tighten
enforcement in this area, suggesting that inconsistent adherence to the school calendar may also
be one of the contributing factors to the poor academic performance in rural schools.

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Papaho residents call for action over fluctuating bus fares

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Commuters rushing into a bus servicing the Papaho route

BY INDY MAEALASIA

RESIDENTS of Papaho in Central Honiara are voicing growing frustration over
inconsistent bus fares charged by public transport operators, urging the Honiara City
Council (HCC) to step in and regulate pricing.


Concerned commuters have reached out to this paper to voice their disappointment,
particularly highlighting the financial strain caused by the issue.


“It’s tough, especially with the financial hardship everyone is facing these days,” said a
parent who wished to remain anonymous.


“The five-dollar bus fare has really affected me as a parent. Imagine paying that much
every day from Monday to Friday—and sometimes even on weekends,” she added.

The parent also claimed that passengers who offer the usual $3 fare are sometimes
forced off the bus mid-trip.


“We don’t deserve this kind of treatment. The standard fare should be $3, but if we pay
that, the driver and conductor sometimes put us out. I’ve seen it happen myself.”

With no other transport alternatives available, she said residents have little choice.
“At the end of the day, all we want is to get home and have time to do housework and
care for our children,” she said.

A student from the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) also shared her
experience, saying she can only afford $3 per day, but the fluctuating fares have forced
her to spend more.

“It’s a strain, especially since my parents live in the village and can’t support me
financially,” she said.


In response to the concerns, Robert Madeo, head of Law Enforcement at HCC urged
public to cooperate with the Council by filing formal complaints and noting down the
bus’ plate numbers.

He said that his team has conducted awareness campaigns about the standard bus fare
at the bus stop, hoping public transport operators and the public are aware of the
standard bus fares and town boundaries.


However, Madeo said that resolving issues related to short bus routes, fare disputes,
and town boundaries will require collaboration not only from HCC but also from
relevant government ministries and the Guadalcanal province.

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Police officer hospitalised, suspect armed and at large

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Police on Malaita are calling for dialogue after one of its officers was hospitalised following an
assault.


The suspect is reportedly at large and armed.


Auki police say an officer is seeking medical assistance in Honiara after being assaulted by a
community member from Malou village in Small Malaita.


The officer, who is the in-charge of Maka Police Station – in the southern region of Malaita, was
reported to have sustained injuries following an attack by the suspect last week.


Auki police statement said the officer was responding to a report of intimidation alleged to have
been caused by the suspect, when he was assaulted.


The suspect has three cases of intimidation registered at Maka Police Station, police said.
“Maka Police attended a report of threatening, but unfortunately the suspect attacked and strike the
officer with a stick.


“The strikes landed on both his hands and legs, while the officer tried to defend himself,” Auki police
said.


The report added that due to injuries sustained, “the officer was referred to Honiara to seek medical
attention”.


“It was lucky that they disarmed him (suspect) already. If he still holding on to his knife and axe, our
officer would have been killed,” Auki police said.


“In 2019, the suspect indecently assaulted a woman in his community, that left profound negative
impact on the victim.


“The victim’s husband was helpless, stressed and died as a result of the suspect’s intimidation and
threatening,” Auki police said.


The suspect is on run and is reportedly armed with deadly weapons, Auki police said.
A report later received by Auki police, confirmed the suspect has “rearmed himself with bow and
arrow and spear made from steel rode and left again into the bush”.

In light of the threat, young people from surrounding communities gathered at Amopala village – the
village of the complainant to provide security for the vulnerable people in the community.


Investigation into the matter is underway and police are calling for negotiation with the suspect,
whilst assuring security to the people of Amopala community south Malaita.

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BECHE-DE-MER HARVEST OPEN

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Ministry of fisheries lifts ban on sea cucumber
citing humanitarian reasons

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Beche-de-mer harvest is now open.


The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resource (MFMR) officially lifted the ban on beche-de-mer (sea
cucumber) harvest effective on April 22.


MFMR said it has reopened sea cucumber harvesting following requests by rural communities who
depend on the fishery for their income.


MFMR has not mentioned any timeframe for the open season. So, it is unclear when it will end.
The lift means the official order prohibiting fishing or possession of beche-de-mer is revoked,
allowing fishers, stakeholders and licence holders to engage in beche-de-mer activities.

The revocation order was issued by the Director of Fisheries and Marine Resource, Edward
Honiwala, and reads; “I, Edward Honiwala, Director of Fisheries, under section 22(2) of the Fisheries Management Act 2015 (No. 2 of 2015) and with reference to section 36(a) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act (Cap. 85), revoke the Order prohibiting fishing or possession of beche-de-mer (published as Legal Notice No. 226 of 2021), with effect on and from 22 April 2025.”

In statement from MFMR, the previous prohibition order restricted the harvesting, in possession of,
landing, buying, selling, receiving and export of beche-de-mer to ensure the recovery of sea
cucumber stocks.

The MFMR confirmed that the lifting of the ban is based on humanitarian grounds and the need to
support the livelihoods of rural communities who rely on the beche-de-mer fishery as a critical
source of income.

The lift also came following an endorsement by Cabinet last week, advising MFMR to work on a
timeframe for beche-de-mer harvesting to resume.

“The Ministry remains committed to ensuring that this valuable resource is sustainably harvested
and managed for the long-term benefit of our communities and economy,” MFMR said.

The Ministry urges all fishers and exporters to comply with the licensing requirements, management
measures, and export controls that are still in place to ensure the sustainability of the fishery.

The ban on harvesting beche-de-mer took place on September 1, 2022 when the ministry saw that
more and more undersized beche-de-mer were being caught for export, indicating a critical
depletion in stocks.

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VOTING FOR ALL

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Chief Electoral Officer Solomon Islands Electoral Commission Jasper Anisi

SIEC eyes greater accessibility, lessons from joint election

BY NED GAGAHE

Chief Electoral Officer of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC), Jasper Anisi says improving accessibility for all voters remains a top priority, particularly for persons with disability and the elderly.
Speaking during the launch of the 2024 Elections Research Report, Mr Anisi acknowledged that accessibility challenges are a recurring issue that the Commission addresses ahead of every election.
“The Electoral Act 2018 and the Provincial Assembly and Honiara City Council Election Regulations 2024 clearly require Returning Officers to make appropriate arrangements for electors with disabilities or special needs,” he said.
“This includes ensuring polling stations and booths are accessible.”
He said adjustments have already been made to polling staff manuals to better support voters with disabilities.
Anisi also welcomed the report’s recommendation to explore mobile voting stations to assist voters with mobility challenges or those living in hard-to-reach areas.
Following the historic 2024 joint elections, the SIEC conducted a nationwide lessons-learned initiative with election officers and key stakeholders.
Anisi said this included a high-level workshop where heads of various electoral units presented successes, challenges, and forward-looking recommendations.
“These sessions were not just a review, they were opportunities to hear from across the Commission, refine our processes, and identify operational gaps,” Anisi said.
“We are using this feedback to streamline our preparations for the next joint election in 2028.”
The 2024 Elections Research Report also emphasizes the need for minimum accessibility standards at polling stations and calls for improved support for elderly voters and persons living with disabilities.
The SIEC has signaled its commitment to reviewing these recommendations and implementing reforms that enhance inclusiveness, transparency, and voter confidence.

Rotary Easter fun run set to light up Lawson Tama

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BY NED GAGAHE

The Rotary Club of Honiara is gearing up for its annual Easter Monday Fun Run, with excitement
building for this year’s event at Lawson Tama Stadium on April 21.


The action-packed morning will begin with a Zumba warm-up session at 7.25am, followed by
the main run at 8am sharp.


Participants can look forward to prize presentations, live entertainment by Reelkingz, and
exciting giveaways after the run.


Registration is now open at all DJ’s Shop outlets in Ranadi, Kukum and Point Cruz, where
runners can purchase their official event numbers and special commemorative t-shirts.
All proceeds will support Rotary’s community projects across the Solomon Islands.


Organizers are urging participants to bring their own water bottles to help reduce plastic waste.


“This event combines fitness, family fun and community service – it’s become one of our most
anticipated annual activities,” a statement from Rotary club said.

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Noro health centre gets new incinerator

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The officials cutting ribbon in front of the Noro Area Health center new incinerator.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) together with World Bank handed over a new incinerator facility to Noro Area Health Centre, Western Province Friday last week.

Speaking at the handover, Health Minister Dr Paul Bosawai thanked World Bank for financing the Incinerator project of SBD$1.5 million.  

“Thank you, World Bank, for financing the project. This project is one of the critical ones, and not every hospital in the country has this. Noro Area Health Center you’re so fortunate to have this facility,” said Mr Bosawai.

He said the incinerator is very critical and important for health facilities to have, a statement by MHMS yesterday said.

This incinerator will ensure clinical wastes are properly managed to reduce the potential infectious properties and volume of medical wastes.

World Bank (WB) Country Manager acting Mr Lode Smets said the Bank is happy to support Solomon Islands and supporting to improve the health systems in the country.

“We are committed and will continue to work closely with Solomon Islands Government, especially the MHMS to help achieve this,” said Mr Smets.

Meanwhile, Noro Town Clerk Gavin Totu thanked and acknowledged the Health Minister and officials, World Bank Country representatives and Member of Parliament and Premier to witness the handover ceremony of the much critical facility, the incinerator to Noro Area Health Center.

“This facility not will not only give a new face to Noro town, but it will reduce the clinical waste and environmental hazards to our surrounding communities in Noro township,” Totu said.

Meanwhile, the Noro Area Health Center, Clinical Nurse Manager of the thanked the MHMS and World Bank for the facility and made mention that the health facility will look after and make good use of the new incinerator.

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Our Telekom and Solomon Tower sign landmark agreement

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The event was witnessed by key officials, including Finance Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Ministry of Communication & Aviation Permanent Secretary Mr. Alwyn Danitofea, and Our Telekom’s Head of Legal, Mr. Wickly

BY NED GAGAHE

Solomon Telekom Company Limited (Our Telekom) and Solomon Tower Limited (STL) have signed a major commercial agreement to strengthen telecommunications services across the Solomon Islands.

The signing ceremony took place at the STL office in Honiara on Friday.

Under the agreement, Our Telekom will utilise STL’s national telecommunications towers, with both parties sharing revenue from call and data usage.

The deal, which took effect in March 2024, will be reviewed every three years.

Our Telekom’s Chief Operating Officer, Robertson Szetu and STL Board Chairman McKinnie Dentana, who is also the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, signed the agreement.

The event was witnessed by key officials, including Finance Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Ministry of Communication & Aviation Permanent Secretary Alwyn Danitofea, and Our Telekom’s Head of Legal, Wickly Faga.

The partnership is expected to enhance digital connectivity and support the government’s efforts to improve telecommunications infrastructure.

China-Funded Tower Project Begins Generating Revenue

Meanwhile, the Solomon Islands National Broadband Infrastructure Project (SINBIP) has started earning income, with 25 operational towers bringing in SBD$2.3 million in gross revenue as of December 2024. STL, the state-owned company managing the project, expects revenue to increase as more towers become operational.

A portion of the earnings will be used to repay the $66 million loan from China’s Exim Bank, which financed the project.

As of April 10, 2025, 102 of the planned 161 towers have been constructed, with 28 already operational and 37 awaiting activations. The remaining towers are expected to be completed by August 2026.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has praised the project describing it as a key driver of national development under China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Once completed, the network will provide 3G/4G coverage to 80 percent of the population, significantly improving connectivity in remote areas.

This agreement and the progress of the SINBIP project mark a major step forward in modernizing the Solomon Islands’ telecommunications infrastructure.

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