BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
FORMER Education Officer of Western Province has called on both the provincial and national governments to urgently provide alternative pathways for students who have dropped out of the formal education system.
Western Provincial Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Ward 10, Freedom Tozaka, said the Government, through the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), must establish more Rural Training Centres (RTCs) across the country to provide second-chance opportunities for school dropouts.
He said education challenges facing the country require a collective approach involving the Ministry of Education, provincial governments, development partners, non-government organisations (NGOs) and local communities.
Tozaka said these stakeholders must work together to create supportive learning environments for students, starting from school readiness programmes through to retention incentives that encourage students to complete their education.
He said there is a great need to increase the number of senior secondary schools and vocational education placements, particularly in rural provinces, to ensure more students can continue their education instead of being forced out due to limited spaces.
“Reducing school dropouts is not just an education issue but a national development priority.
“High dropout rates are linked to broader social challenges including unemployment, youth disenfranchisement and slowed economic growth.
“Without urgent and sustained action, our country risks leaving a large segment of its young population without the skills and opportunities needed to contribute meaningfully to society,” Tozaka said.
He said it is time for the government to rewrite and strengthen education policies that promote student retention and completion, encourage gender equality in education, and lay a strong foundation for a prosperous future.
Island Sun understands that Solomon Islands is facing a serious education challenge, with a high number of students leaving school each year due to a severe shortage of available spaces at key education levels.
This year alone, an estimated 1,592 Year Nine students were unable to progress to Year 10, while 3,703 Form Six students failed to secure places in Form Seven.
In 2025, a staggering 4,126 Form-Three students, 3,486 Form Five students and 4,400 students were forced out of the education system highlighting the widening gap between available school placements and the growing number of students seeking education.
