BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
THE Education Bill for Solomon Islands is in its final stage, it is reported.
Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development is working on finalising the Education Bill which aims at transforming education system in Solomon Islands.
Overall, the new legislation relates to education – basically ECE, Primary and Secondary sector, tertiary and vocational education.
The Strategic Support Division through the National Education Board Secretariat took the lead in facilitating the process with consultation already done with relevant stakeholders and Provincial Executive in nine provinces, it said.
The education ministry said the draft has been forwarded to the National Education Board for scrutiny.
It said the Bill will assist them in their endeavours as well as defining relationships between MEHRD and its key partners in provincial executive, churches and NGOs.
Meanwhile, the Bill aims to clarify responsibility and relationships of all those who share responsibility for early childhood, primary and secondary education.
It covers Early Childhood Education (3-4 years old), Primary Education (pre-primary for five years), Primary Education (Years one to six) and Secondary Education (currently years seven to 12).
Following the Bill it confers powers on the Permanent Secretary to facilitate administration of the law and provides a review mechanism for certain decisions of the Permanent Secretary.
The Bill also clarifies that the managing authorities (Education Authorities) of Government, provincial and non-government schools and early childhood education centres are responsible for employment and management of staff.
Furthermore, sets out responsibilities for the operation of schools and centres, including the submission of budgets.
Besides, the bill also stipulated needs for compulsory education in specific areas deemed by MEHRD particularly to ensure access early childhood education, primary and secondary education.
