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Health to address vaccine hesitancy

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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AstraZeneca vaccine. Photo by NDTV.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Service is now working on readjusting its risk communication strategy to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in communities.

This readjustment was made following vaccine resistance incidents on Malaita and some communities in other provinces.  

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services Pauline McNeil in a recent talk back-show said the ministry is making readjustments to its risk communication strategy.

The work is still ongoing.

“The readjustment to its risk communication strategy is not an easy operation but has become the ministry of health’s huge task,” McNeil said.

She said the very reason why the MHMS is calling on all communities to work together with health team in any front line ministries.

Our health team working on the ground must also negotiate with chiefs and community leaders to ensure everybody comes to the same understanding.

Secretary to Prime Minister Jimmie Rodgers said vaccine resistance is due to two things, one is fear and the other is they are lacking COVID-19 information or not well informed about the vaccine.

“According to a report some people were not receptive when they were well informed with more information about the vaccination,” Rodgers said.

He said part of the strategy is how we make communication better to some of these communities.

Rodgers said on the government they are focused on making all information available to let people know of the dangers of vaccination and what the dangers are of not having the vaccine.

“The issue here is trying to get people to better understand but not trying to deprive them of their rights. But it’s for them to understand the consequences and dangers,” he said.

World Teachers Day celebrated

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Teachers celebrating World Teacher's Day last year. PHOTO: MAVIS N PODOKOLO

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

TEACHERS are reminded to renew their commitment to provide students with quality education.

This was echoed by Dr Franco Rodie, permanent secretary for Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development at the celebration of World Teachers Day yesterday in Honiara.

“May I take this opportunity to remind you to renew your commitments, to provide each student in your classroom the quality of education they deserve,” Mr Rodie said.

He said in recognition of the contribution of teachers in nation building, teachers are seen as the yard stick that measures the achievement and aspirations of a nation.

Teachers who took part in a parade to mark the World Teachers Day.

Rodie also said teachers provide the power of education to today’s youth thereby giving them opportunity for a better future.

“Good teachers do not accept failure and therefore students are most likely to successes. Teachers know when to push students, when to give a gentle nudge in the right direction, and when to let students figure it out on their own. But they won’t let a student give up.

“Teachers are the ultimate role models for students and will stay positive for their students even when things can seem grim,” he said.

CHAND’S CONTRACT SUSPENDED

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Dr Ganesh Chand

Salary halt for SINU’s vice chancellor

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands National University (SINU) Council has suspended the contract of incumbent Vice Chancellor Dr Ganesh Chand due to the prevailing covid-19 situation in Fiji as well as existing travel restrictions and border closures.

Minister of Education and Human Resources Development, Lanelle Tanangada confirmed this when asked by Member of Parliament for Small Malaita, Rick Hou in Parliament yesterday.

Tanangada said the SINU Council in consultation with Chand has made a decision and suspended his contract as of 27 August 2021.

She said this implies Chand is no longer paid his salary nor does he benefit from the rest of his terms and conditions outlined in his contract.

Chand’s three years contract commenced on 5 March 2019 to 4 March 2022.

Tanangada said the recruitment and appointment of the Vice Chancellor Dr Ganesh Chand followed all due recruitment and appointment processes of the SINU recruitment policy and SINU Council were deem to be proper and valid.

She said owing to issues relating to his work permit, Chand took an early annual leave since October 2020 while issues regarding his work permit were addressed.

“His work permit has since been addressed and granted,” he said.

Opposition Leader, Matthew Wale who is providing leadership and management decision making since Chand’s contract has been suspended.

Tanangada said Dr Jack Maebuta is the acting VC so every responsibility is placed on him.

MP Hou asked whether SINU has started the process to find replacement of this position of substantive VC.

Tanangada said the process is now in place and SINU management are working on that until the time it will be advertised when his contract ends on 4 March 2022.

Dr Ganeshwar Chand, better known as Ganesh Chand, is a Fijian academic and former politician of Indian descent.

He is a founder of the University of Fiji and serves as a trustee of the Fiji Institute of Applied Studies and as editor of Fijian Studies: A Journal of Contemporary Fiji.

He was a member of the Fiji Labour Party (FLP) in the parliamentary elections of 1999 and 2001. He was also Minister for National Planning, Local Government, Housing and Environment in 1999-2000.

Chand announced his retirement from active politics in 2004 and began focusing on academia.

Parliament continues today.

Juvenile gets 1-year suspended jail term for attempted rape.

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRINCIPAL Magistrate Augustine Aulanga has imposed a one-year suspended jail term on a juvenile found guilty of attempting to rape a six-year-old girl in October 2020.

Aulanga in his sentencing highlighted that the offence of attempted rape under section 136F (3) (b) of the Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual Offences) Act 2016 is a serious offence. It has a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.

And given that maximum penalty is 15 years reflects the seriousness of this offence which is linked to the need for deterrence, Aulanga said.

However, Aulanga also explained that since the case involves a juvenile offender, it is expected that the sentence to be imposed will be substantially reduced or different to that of an adult offender.

This is because of the trite law that requires the court to impose a rehabilitative sentence than incarceration when it comes to sentencing of a juvenile offender. 

The incident occurred on 9 October 2020.

Prosecution said the victim and the accused are relatives and on that date of offending, the victim and three other little girls went to swim at a nearby river.

On their way, the three girls followed the main road while the victim followed a short-cut route.

On her way, she met the offender who asked her to go into the bush with him.

She refused to follow him.

He said that he would press her neck if she refused to follow him.

He pulled her into the bush and she followed him since she was afraid of him.

Inside the bush, he folded her skirt and was about to have sex with her when the other little girls disturbed him.

His attempt to have sex with her was unsuccessful.

Aulanga said one of the aggravating factors is that this offender used threat to press her neck as a means of forcing the victim into the bush.

“I also accept that he used force by pulling her into the bush which is another aggravating factor.

“The victim is a six-year-old girl so she is very young and that the offender is related to her as her uncle.

“The presence of these aggravating factors makes this offending quite serious,” Aulanga said.

Aulanga also said that he took into account the accused’s guilty plea, a first-time offender, he is very cooperative with the police and the court all throughout his case, his remorse and being a juvenile.

Therefore, after considering the mitigation and assessing the facts provided before the court, Magistrate Aulanga imposed a sentence of one year imprisonment on the accused of one count of attempted rape.

He further made directions that the term will be fully suspended for one year on the conditions that he is to be of good behaviour and not to be charged by the RSIPF with any new criminal offences during this operational period.

Monica Rehomora of the Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown while Sholto Rodney Manebosa of the Public Solicitor’s office represent the accused.

SINU recruits PhD holders

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Kukum campus of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU).

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands National University (SINU) has recruited 20 PhD holders through recent end of contract recruitment exercise.

Minister of Education and Human Resources Development, Lanelle Tanangada revealed this when asked by MP for Small Malaita, Rick Hou in Parliament yesterday.

Tanangada said the total number of PhD holders include those now on the ground and at work.

She said the number excludes those still abroad who have been appointed but still unable to travel to Solomon Islands due to the COVID-19 situation globally.

Lannelle said of the total PhD holders, 17 are Solomon Islands nationals while three are expatriates.

She said 10 PhD holders are new nationals while seven PhD holders are those whose employment contracts have been renewed.

In addition, She said one Solomon Islands national PhD holder has been appointed as Professor of the Institute of Oceans, Islands and Sustainable Development while the rest take up positions as the assistants and associate Professors and senior lecturers.

“Under the end of contract and recruitment exercise, only one PhD holder has been retrenched owing merely to medical issues and reaching retirement age,” she said.

Lanelle said two notable new appointments include national female PhD holder to the position of Dean of Faculty of Education and Humanity as well as position of Registrar of Students Academic Support Services.

She said two expatriates who attained Professorships have been respectively appointed as Dean of Faculty in Business and Tourism and Dean of Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Lanelle said another expatriate PhD holder has been appointed as Director of Maritime Studies.

“The personells are prepared to travel and take up positions at SINU as soon as covid 19 situation subsides and the Solomon Islands border reopen.

“On the outset, it is critical that we support our national university as it tries to develop and become distinctive leading-edge University that produces these graduates who ready to make positive contribution to the economic and social development of our country and to transform our society,” she said.

Lanelle said the recruitment policy adopted by SINU 2013 requires all staff recruited to be on three years contract

Moreover, as per SINU Council resolution that stated on the 22nd of June 2015, all positions have been advertised in the open market before the contract expires

She said the rational is to recruit staff the meet the SINU minimum qualification requirement to teach at the university and to upgrade the level and quality of the programme taught at the University.

“Similarly, positions in administration and logistical support services at SINU were also advertised to well educated, experienced and competent personells,” she said.

Parliament continues today.

SINU still to fill some vacancies

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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0

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands National University (SINU) is still to fill 15 of the 230 positions left vacant after what was dubbed as a mass termination in August this year.

Minister of Education and Human Resources Development, Lanelle Tanangada explained this when asked by Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale through a supplementary question in Parliament yesterday.

Wale said with regards to management level and retrenchment happens on transition process of over 200 staff and off course the impact, we know registration is still going ahead at SINU.

He asked when can SINU expects to complete process for every replacement of management and teaching staff in place?

Lanelle said there is ongoing process and it was determined to ensure the completion of the exercise.

She said with information from SINU management, the recruitment exercise is going well with only 15 positions left.

About 123 academic staff and 107 support services staff are affected by the exercise.

This include 34 in Faculty of Education and Humanities, 29 in Faculty of Science and Technology, 17 in Faculty of Business and Tourism, 18 in Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science is 17 and Distant Flexible Learning is eight.

Tanangada told Parliament recently that at the inception of SINU in 2013, it adopted a recruitment policy that required all staff recruited by SINU to be on a three-year contract.

She said previously staff were on continuing appointment, meaning it has an open-ended time frame.

Moreover, Tanangada said as SINU Council resolution dated June 22, 2015, all positions must be advertised in the open market before the contracts expired.

She said the rationale was to recruit staff that meet SINU minimum qualifications requirement known as MQR to teach at the university and upgrade to a level and quality of the programme that is taught at the university.

Parliament meeting continues today.

Tenakoga raises $124,726 in effort to rebuild classrooms.

Written by
Press Release
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A group supporting the concert. PHOTO: FOLLET JOHN

Tenakoga Adventist College (TAC) has raised $124, 726.80 during its gospel concert which was staged at the Maranatha Hall in Lunga, east Honiara, on Sunday.

About 15 supporting singing groups took part during the concert to support the North East Guadalcanal-based institution.

A good number of students, staff, parents, guardians, supporters and former students and staff came out to support the fund-raising effort.

Speaking during the concert, Minister for Education and Human Resource Development Lanelle Tanangada said despite the recent fire incident that saw the school’s double-storey classroom razed to the ground, Tenakoga will never bow down as is stated in their theme song –  ‘Tenakoga we will rise.’


College Principal Francis Leovania thanking everyone for their support.

“When I saw the photos of the burning flame, what stood out that gave me the confidence that God will make this school rise again,” she said.

She said investment in education is the most important investment any parent could dream of.

Further to that, she said her ministry has a mandate to also support the school.

Tenakoga Principal Francis Leovania thanked all those who turned up to support the concert.

The concert was attended by the Minister of Education, MP for Northeast Guadalcanal, MP for South Guadalcanal, MPA for Guadalcanal Rose Tala and Permanent Secretary for Women and Youth.

The college lost a double storey complex during an early morning blaze which engulfed two classrooms located upstairs and science lab on the ground floor.

Promising future investments for Isabel

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Press Release
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Old Coconut crushing mill facilities at Gozoruru

A Foreign Investment promotion and awareness programme in Isabel Province mid-last month concluded with promising results for future investments in the province.

A two-member team from the Foreign Investment Division (FID) of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI) visited the Province for a week where they met with the Premier Leslie Kikolo and his executive, Investment Stakeholders, Land Owner Association and other relevant stakeholders.

The team with support from Provincial Officers also made a site visit to the proposed Gozoruru New Township and other proposed sites.

During the mission, the team presented to Premier Kikolo a Business Monitoring Joint Action Committee (BMJAC) report which outlines the findings of the committee’s tour to the province in 2020 and also recommendations on how to strengthen business compliances.

Premier Kikolo acknowledged the report which he said will be helpful to his executive as they are preparing towards formalizing its sister relationship with Shandong Province in China.

He said the report will set a platform for investments in the Province with potential investors from Shandong once the relationship is established.

The Premier admitted that his province was a bit way behind in terms of development and would aggressively push forward by inviting genuine foreign direct investments into his province.

Isabel Province has plenty of registered land which would attract foreign investors to invest there.

The Premier also informed the team that his executive are working on ways to upgrade Suavanao airstrip to international standard, International Sea Port at Allardyce, Boost its fisheries sector, connecting roads and turning Gozoruru into a commercial and industrial area for the province.

The team also held discussions with the licenses and planning departments of the province on issues of compliance for foreign investors operating in the province as well as local registered companies. The discussions included steps in the FID registry and how to access online registration.

On planning, the need to have an investment office was discussed to assist in facilitating establishment of foreign investments in the province.

The team visited a former coconut crushing mill at Gozoruru, which stopped operating which still have potential for revival by foreign investors.

On the final day of the program, the team held an awareness talk at the Jejevo School which was attended by students from Forms 4 and 5 with their teachers and the principal of the school.

This awareness was intended to assist the students broaden their knowledge on foreign direct investments and the impacts they have on the economy and people.

– Source: GCU

Vax set at 90 percent before borders can reopen: PM

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Press Release
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PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare says Cabinet has set a target of 90 percent full vaccination coverage to reopen our international borders.

Prime Minister Sogavare in his nationwide address yesterday said Cabinet has directed the Oversight Committee and the Policy Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation unit (PIME), to undertake critical analysis and recommendations on how and when we should consider reopening our borders.

He said central to the re-opening of our borders is our vaccination coverage.

He said all countries that have successfully reopened their borders had achieved more than 80 percent full vaccination coverage of their eligible population.

“The speed which we can reopen our borders depends on all the eligible population in Solomon Islands getting vaccinated as soon as possible,” he said.

Sogavare said as much as we would like to see that everyone is safe from COVID-19, we cannot remain in isolation forever.

“The responsibility to protect our country from COVID-19 and at the same time have a viable economy, rests with all of us,” he said.

The Prime Minister said we need to accelerate our vaccination coverage to reach 90 percent coverage as soon as possible so that we can reopen our borders earlier rather than later.

He said we need to set a realistic date to achieve our vaccination target and a realistic target to reopen our borders.

“I plead with you all as your Prime Minister to get vaccinated. I continue to emphasize the importance of our unified approach to combat COVID-19. I strongly believe that by working together, our unity in diversity, and our solidarity will carry us through to overcome this pandemic,” Sogavare said.

–OPMC PRESS

Tenaru kicks off 75th anniversary celebrations

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Press Release
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Former Chief Justice and MOSA Alumni, Sir John Muria (middle) with current staff of the school during a launch of the 75th Anniversary wear held sometimes this year.

Saint Joseph’s Catholic School, Tenaru, is currently in full swing to celebrate its 75th Anniversary this week.

As a pre-launch, a monument was blessed and unveiled in Buloabu village in Langalanga Lagoon on Sunday to honour the eight pioneer students who attended the school when the Marist Brothers started it in 1946.

The official program will start on Thursday this week and ends on Saturday 9th October.


1st Independence Day Celebration as Prime Minister late Hon. Peter Kenilorea unveils  the Memorial Plaque at Tenaru and student John Batalibasi looks on.

Members of the school Alumni, the Marist Old Students Association (MOSA) as well as former teachers, Marist friends and supporters in the country and around the world have shown support to this great event.

On Thursday this week, the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will be the guest of honour and will officially declare the opening of the 75th Anniversary celebrations.


A group photo of some of the scholar of the seventies after a Walk Back to School program held in recent years.

Premier of Guadalcanal Province Francis Sade, a former student himself, is also invited as the guest of honour for Day 3 of the celebrations.

Activities lined up for the 3- day event include a Chupu ceremony to honour the Malango House of Chiefs where the school is currently located at Tenaru, traditional and contemporary performances by both former and current students and staff, sporting activities, feasting, Catholic Masses, speeches and reflections by members of the school Alumni as well as a motorcade from Honiara City to the school.


Family of one of the Pioneer students of St. Joseph’s School, the late Sosimo Sifoteilia

A statement from organisers says Tenaru school is proud to produce a good number of successful scholars who have become leaders and professionals in their own right.

These include two Prime Ministers, Chief Justice, Attorney Generals, Diplomats, Professors, academics and clergies.

The three-day event is also expected to be streamed live on Facebook.

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