-Australia, New Zealand has given young Solomon Islanders hope and opportunity to dream, learn and thrive: Education Minister Leokana
-Biggest education reform since independence with the support of Aus, NZ
By Loretta B Manele
The Solomon Islands Education Sector Support Programme (ESSP) a partnership with Australian and New Zealand governments officially closed yesterday.
Marked with a function at Mendana Hotel, Tozen Leokana, minister for Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) took the opportunity to thank both governments for their support towards the Solomon Islands education sector.
He expressed that this moment is more than just a reflection on what has been accomplished as it is also a testament of power, partnership, commitment and unwavering belief that education transforms lives.
“At the outset, let me express my heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Australia and New Zealand for being true champions of education in the Solomon Islands.”
Leokana highlighted that their steadfast commitment and substantial investment over the past years have not only changed the landscape of our education system but it has also ignited hope in the hearts of countless children across our islands.
He added that they have helped to build schools, change policies and bring about new education acts to life.
Above all, Leokana said the two governments, more importantly have given young Solomon Islanders hope and opportunity to dream, learn and thrive.
Leokana said he has met with faces behind the statistics, eager students, passionate teachers, dedicated school principals and hopeful students.
“I have listened to their stories, shared in their triumphs, and reaffirmed the presence of my ministry, the Ministry of Education, and the government in their lives.”
He said these are living testaments of the transformative power of education and unbreakable bonds of collaboration.
Rod Hilton, Australia’s high commissioner also shared the success of ESSP in the country.
He said it is important for us to pause and look back at the past five years together to celebrate a lot of extraordinary achievements and lessons.
Hilton recalled since having arrived in Honiara over two years ago, he has seen significant change in the education sector through the work of ESSP.
Speaking on the success of ESSP, he said 45 school facilities have been built across every province, 3,500 teachers both pre- and in-service teachers have been trained and 170,000 textbooks and learning resources have been developed and distributed to students and teachers.
To top that off, Hilton highlighted that they are also very privileged that ESSP was supportive in the passing of the historic Education Act 2023.
“This is the biggest education reform for Solomon Islands since independence.”
Rebecca Williams, acting New Zealand High Commissioner to Solomon Islands also shared other success stories of ESSP.
She expressed that since 2019, New Zealand has been proud to support ESSP with its partnership between Australia and MEHRD for ensuring that every child in Solomon Islands has good access to education.
Williams said together they have achieved good progress on the above objective.
She voiced that ESSP has supported progress to improve participation in basic education.
“ESSP has provided new classrooms, dormitories, ablution blocks and dining halls for 39 schools across the country and boats and vehicles for education providers to improve engagement with schools.
“ESSP also supported a new education funding code to ensure that schools get funding.
“44 new curriculum textbook titles were also developed with more than 92,000 school books.
“More than 3,500 teachers received professional development of which 1,000 graduated with teaching certificates.”
She added that ESSP has also worked with the education ministry and local and international NGOs to support disadvantaged children.
Williams explained that this work includes infrastructure equipment for children with disabilities, dormitories and WASH facilities for girls to participate in school.
She mentioned that ESSP has also worked with these organizations to train sign language trainers and there are now 38 sign language trainers to help increase the language skills of deaf and hearing-impaired students.
“This program contributes towards strengthening the education sector management and includes support for development, socialisation and the implementation of the Education Act 2023.”
She noted that these are examples of some of the important work ESSP has helped to carry out.
“Every activity represents one step forward for education and learning in Solomon Islands.”
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