BY JOSES SAREN
The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), together with the New Zealand High Commission, has officially launched the Partnership Support Hub under the Waka Fo Edukesen Solomon Islands–New Zealand Education Partnership 2025–2035.
The launch was jointly officiated on July 9 by New Zealand High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Jonathan Curr, and then-MEHRD Permanent Secretary, Dr Franco Rodie.
According to MEHRD, the Hub will be based at MEHRD Headquarters and will provide strategic, technical, and coordination support to strengthen the Ministry’s engagement with Education Providers, schools, development partners, and other key education stakeholders across Solomon Islands, under the New Zealand Government-funded programme.
The Hub is part of New Zealand’s continued support to Solomon Islands’ education sector through the Waka Fo Edukesen partnership, which aims to support locally led improvements in education delivery, strengthen MEHRD’s governance, leadership and management capacity, and contribute to better learning outcomes for children and young people throughout the country.
Speaking during the launch, High Commissioner Jonathan Curr reaffirmed New Zealand’s strong and long-standing commitment to support education in Solomon Islands.
He highlighted that education remains one of the most important areas of cooperation between the two countries, and that the Partnership Support Hub will help ensure support is better coordinated, practical, and responsive to the needs of MEHRD, Education Providers, and schools.
High Commissioner Curr also acknowledged the leadership of MEHRD and emphasised that the partnership is centred on working together with Solomon Islands institutions to strengthen local systems and improve education services for all learners.
In his remarks, then-Permanent Secretary Dr Franco Rodie thanked the Government and people of New Zealand for their continued partnership and support.
He said the establishment of the Partnership Support Hub within MEHRD is timely and important, especially as the Ministry continues to implement key reforms under the Education Act 2023 and the Education Legislative Framework.
“The Ministry welcomes this important support. Having the Partnership Support Hub based within MEHRD will help us work more closely with our partners and ensure that support reaches the areas where it is most needed, especially our Education Providers and schools,” Rodie said.
He further stated that the Ministry remains committed to ensure that every child in Solomon Islands has access to quality, inclusive, and relevant education.
MEHRD said the Partnership Support Hub will support programme planning and delivery, provide advisory and technical assistance, strengthen coordination across education stakeholders, support monitoring and evaluation, and assist with communications and administrative functions under the partnership.
MEHRD acknowledged the support of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the role of Catalpa in supporting the implementation arrangements for the Hub.
The launch marks another important milestone in the shared commitment between Solomon Islands and New Zealand to strengthen the education system and improve opportunities for all learners across the country.
Photo credit: MEHRD
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