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Country still lack access and quality education

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Permanent Secretary for MEHRD, Dr Franco Rodie.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

SCHOOLS across Solomon Islands is yet to see much progress in accessibility and quality of education.

Many schools still experience inefficient learning opportunity due to classroom space, lack of teachers and facilities.

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development Dr Franco Rodie said this during the opening of the two-day MEHRD Joint Annual 2018 meeting at Mendana.

Rodie said, despite MEHRD achieving its priority areas for education service deliveries in Solomon Islands, there is still a need for improvement.

He said, “Despite all we have been doing, we are yet to see much progress in access and quality of education.”

He said from 2011 to 2018, data shows number of students that attended ECE, primary and secondary enrolled in schools has increased from 189,000 to around 216,000.

However, Dr Rodie said during such period there was virtually no change in its net enrollment rates.

From the MEHRD’s data, Rodie said the percentage of population enrollment in each sector remains around 90 percent for primary, 40 percent junior secondary and 30 percent senior secondary.

“This is simple not good enough. What the figures have indicated is that the number of student enrollment reduces as the students’ progress to senior secondary education levels,” he said.

“In an ideal jurisdiction, we would expect to see most, if not all students that commence primary education to complete their senior secondary education successfully,” Rodie said.

He said it is important authorities, partners and stakeholders must rethink and come up with alternatives.

Following the meeting currently, Rodie encourages leaders from education sectors across Solomon Islands to rethink its strategies and look at pathways to improve the country’s education system.

SIG has pledged to join the global community on SGDs agenda goal 4.

Achieving inclusive and quality education for all reaffirms the belief that education is one of the most powerful and proven vehicles for sustainable development.

This goal ensures that all girls and boys complete free primary and secondary schooling by 2030.

It also aims to provide equal access to affordable vocational training, to eliminate gender and wealth disparities, and achieve universal access to a quality higher education.

Life is worthless

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Inmate Ben Tofola sharing his testimony of 28 years spends in prison to people during recent celebrating the 16 days of activism in Auki. PHOTO BY SAMIE WAIKORI

A lifetime prisoner’s testimony

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Inmate Ben Tofola sharing his testimony of 28 years spends in prison to people during recent celebrating the 16 days of activism in Auki. PHOTO BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AN inmate at the Correctional Centre in Auki publicly announced that prison is not the place to be.

Ben Tofola, who is serving life imprisonment, made the statement at the 16 days activism program to end violence against women and girls, recently in Auki.

He said he entered prison in 1990 when he was 15 years old. Now it is 28 years since he had been held captive.

Tofola who was also a speaker during the programme challenged that nothing is good when one is in prison and life is not worth anything when one is a prisoner.

He said there is no life in prison. He said it is the worst experience ever.

Tofola’s testimony during the 16 days activism is to raise awareness among the community when it comes to dealing with violence and its consequences.

He said he had regrets but there is nothing else he can do. Tofola said it is quite painful for him when he thought about what had happened and how he ended up in prison.

“The trouble I did only took me seconds, but the punishment now got me 28 years in prison and will continue for the rest of my life.”

Tofola said being in prison limits one’s freedom. He said when one is think about it, life is worthless, meaning one is in this world for nothing.

“My advice to all people is to refrain from any form of violence at all. As we celebrate this 16 days activism, I urge all men to put a stop to abuse and violence against women and girls. Every problem has the right way to solve it. Whether its family problem or whatever dispute, there are always solutions and do not to jump into violence,” he said.

Tofola said people of all ages with strengths, status and characteristics were in prison. He said no-one is above the law.

He said it is very important that everyone adopt to virtues of harmony, peace, love and kindness.

He encourages everyone to live in peace and harmony with each other.

ATM robbery case appears again today

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case of an accused Dilo Faiga alleged for involving in an armed robbery incident on July 2014 will appear again in court today.

The accused Dilo Faiga from Manakwai village in Malaita province is alleged to be involved in an armed robbery incident on July 25 2014 with other co-accused.

Police alleged that Dilo Faiga and other co-accused were involved in the armed robbery incident where they uprooted the ATM machine at the Kwaimani building using crow bars and then lifted it into the waiting car and drove off to Henderson.

The allegation said more than $400,000 was in that machine but they allegedly took only more than $200,000 from the top tray as they can’t open the bottom tray.

According to the police they said that the men arrived at the building and threatened the security guards by gun pointing them and uprooted the machine.

After successfully uprooting the machine they dragged it to the waiting car and drove off to Henderson where they allegedly opened and stole the money on the top tray.

Police also alleged that the security guard who followed them on that night also received $30,000 and that money was not yet recovered.

Bradley Dalipanda of the office Director Public Prosecution appears for the state while Lazarus Waroka of the Public Solicitor’s Office represents the accused in court.

Hockey federation brings WC live on TV

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Nihal Seneviratne

BY ROMULUS HUTA

THE 2018 Federation of International Hockey (FIH) Men’s Hockey World Cup will be televised live in Solomon Islands for the first time.

The arrangement was made possible following a request by the president of Solomon Islands Hockey Federation (SIHF) Nihal Seneviratne.

“The Federation of International Hockey (FIH) has granted television broadcasting rights to Solomon Islands following a request by Solomon Islands Hockey.

“For the first time ever the tournament will be made available live on television in Solomon Islands.

“This is great gesture by the world body FIH to help promote the sport of Hockey in Solomon Islands.

“Hockey players and sports fans will be able to watch live the best men’s Hockey teams in the world,” Mr Seneviratne said in a statement yesterday.

“Big thanks on behalf of the Executive Board of Solomon Islands Hockey to Our Telekom Television (TTV) and management for making this possible.”

The world cup will begin on November 28 (tomorrow) and will conclude with the finals on December 16 in India – featuring 36 matches played over 19 days.

Neighbouring Australia, who is the current world number 1, will be gunning for its third straight world cup title – a feat no other team has managed to achieve since the inception of the tournament in 1971.

The Group stage starts Wednesday night, scheduled for 10:30 pm Solomon Islands time with Belgium going against Canada and followed by India and South Africa at 12:30 am.

16 days of activism celebrate in Auki

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Members of Oxfam Office in Auki holding a banner with ending violence against women and girls.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

PUBLIC in Auki town joined the globe to mark the 16 days of activism against women and girls in a ceremony yesterday.

The ceremony gathered all stakeholders in Auki as they come together to be a part of this occasion.

Coordinator of Save Family under Oxfam Office in Auki, Mr Matthew Manega said the 16 days of activism is a global campaign that looks at ending violence against women and girls.

He said the theme for this year’s 16 days activism is “herem vois blo mi and ending violence against women and girls.”

Manega acknowledged DFAT for sourcing the project through Save the Children under the coordination of Oxfam Solomon Islands that support the programme.

Ngella MP completes last ‘Constituency Tour’ at Ghaeta District

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Paramount Chief and Member of Parliament for Ngella Constituency Hon Bartholomew Parapolo during meeting with Ghaeta District Constituents in his last Tenth Parliament Constituency Tour at Dende Village, South Ngella, on Sunday.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

Paramount Chief and Member of Parliament for Ngella Constituency Hon Bartholomew Parapolo during meeting with Ghaeta District Constituents in his last Tenth Parliament Constituency Tour at Dende Village, South Ngella, on Sunday.

PARAMOUNT Chief and Member of Parliament (MP) for Ngella Constituency Hon Bartholomew Parapolo has completed his last Constituency Tour at Ghaeta District, Dende Village, South-East Ngella.

During his tour, he witnessed the commissioning of 12 Chiefs from Ghaeta’s Executive of ‘Valevaukolu’ being dissolved in Ngella around three years ago.

With parliament ready to dissolve, Parapolo reminded Ghaeta District Constituents and the newly commissioned Chiefs that the local custom, church and government must strongly work together in order to see positive development outcomes that would prosper the Constituency too.

He told Constituents, government is only waiting to step in to assist, but only if Ngella people allow their land for development.

This is in terms of developing proper water sanitation. A big problem in Ngella communities as well.

When focusing on other needed developments for the Constituency, the MP mentioned roads, airstrip and tourism. Ngella has a huge potential to benefit from tourism.

“The government has no power over the lands in Ngella Constituency which is why the purpose to commission our Chiefs is to assist our development vision for the Constituency in arranging and making it possible through landowners to allow their customary lands to be developed,” said Hon Parapolo.

“Developments to take place are not for the government but for you the people. If you do not take seriousness of such then no proper developments will take place for the Constituency.”

Having clarified to the people of Ghaeta District over much debated issues concerning the Constituency such as Ngella’s famous purchased ‘Vakamotor’ and also explaining that there is no such thing as negative rumours spreading that he is about to get arrested, people seemed satisfied over their MP’s clear clarifications.

From observation during questionnaire time, the majority only thanked the Minister of Culture and Tourism for his effort during this current Parliament term despite hiccups faced in the Constituency.

Ward Six Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Hon Mathew Taravu and Chiefs of Ghaeta District warmly welcomed the MP for Ngella Constituency onto their shores and thanked him for his initiatives towards their communities during time in parliament. They assured him of working together to move Ngella forward in terms of development though it will be a very tough mission for them.

Parapolo’s next last Constituency Tour will be in Ward Seven, Belagha District.

Government scholarship result anytime soon

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) Mr James Bosamata .

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

THE Solomon Islands Government Scholarship result is expected to be published early next month, December.

Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development Mr James Bosamata said scholarship results are expected to be released in December or January 2019.

He said MEHRD is in stage three of finalizing the selection process under the higher achievers, skills training, constituencies’ sponsorship and course sharing sponsorship.

Bosamata said their target to publish the 2019 entry depends very much on the availability of the results yet to be collected.

However, Bosamata said, they have already completed stage one and two and began on stage three and stage four soon.

“It is likely that the skills training will be published first, and then followed by in services include public and private sectors and pre-services,” Bosamata said.

He said MEHRD has to wait for form seven results of USP students first to determine scholarships.

With that Bosamata said for higher achievers category, most possible time frame for publish is early January 2019. Other sectors are in December.

Premier Malaita urges people to talk about violence against women

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Premier Peter Ramohia speaking during the official opening of the 16 days activism in Auki on Monday.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Premier Peter Ramohia speaking during the official opening of the 16 days activism in Auki on Monday.

PREMIER of Malaita province urges the people in Malaita to continue to talk about violence against women and girls.

Hon Peter Ramohia said having the passion to talk about this issue will become a part of an individual’s life, thus they can continue to speak about it within their own families and communities.

Speaking during the official opening of the16 days’ activism of violence against women and girls in Auki yesterday, Ramohia said the theme, “Iu herem vois blo me: end violence against women and girls” has committed itself to spread awareness of this issue.

Ramohia said this shows just how important the issue is.

“My good people of Malaita, we are part of the globe in this campaign and I want us to continue talking about violence against women. We must talk about it in our family, to our children, in our churches, work places and everywhere we live. We must not tire to talk about it and we must not also tire to hear about it, we must not stop talking about it until people know about it,” Premier Ramohia said.

He said ending violence against women, girls and children are everyone’s responsibility and together everyone must join effort to address this issue.

He said people must be kept reminded on the issue to ensure individuals and stakeholder continue to work on this important issue.

The Premier said, Malaita provincial government see the issue of gender as very important. He said they have been trying their best to support the work of the national government in the province.

He said early this year they launched the first ever policy for women in the province.

He said this is an ongoing commitment by his government on women and gender.

Ramohia said although the policy does not necessary target very issue of gender based violence, it is looking at other areas where women need to be supported and work together in this kind of campaign.

He said women must be supported and empowered so that they become important people in decision making in communities, right up to the political level.

70 out of 100 Solomon Islanders die from NCDs

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Prime Minister Hon. Rick Houenipwela with participants of the NCD Policy Roadmap Consultative Roundtable meeting.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

70 PERCENT of all deaths in the country are due to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Prime Minister Rick Hou says deaths due to heart diseases, diabetes, stroke, chronic respiratory disease and cancer.

Speaking at a high-level roundtable meeting on a NCD policy roadmap yesterday, PM Hou said it is no doubt NCDs poses the single biggest threat to the future development aspirations of the people and the country.

“Many of our people that do not die from acute NCDs causes suffer irreparable damage that incapacitates them from work for the rest of their lives. This simply means that NCDs does not only kill; it also causes untold suffering to those affected, preventing them from ever working again. And worse still it causes family members who work to leave their jobs to care for their loved ones”.

Hou said that NCDs not only rob the country of its intellectual capacity (due to NCD mortality) but it also undermines the quality of performance of the country’s economic engine. This is through declining labour force performance resulting from NCD-related disabilities.

PM Hou said NCDs also costs the government a lot of money.

“If you visit the NRH, the majority of beds in the hospital are occupied by NCDs patients. As already noted, NCDs result in higher unemployment rates, as relatives leave work to care for their loved ones. In some instances, children are leaving school early to care for their parents who suffer from NCDs”.

Hou said this is becoming a serious issue as NCDs is said to be the source of poverty increase in Solomon Islands.

He also said the current NCD epidemic has the potential to wipe out the cream of the working population even before the impact of issues that currently dominate global, regional and national headlines – such as climate change – become significant threats to lives.

PM Hou said it is very important to note that NCDs is a silent killer.

In Solomon Islands, 60 out of a hundred Solomon Islanders are overweight or obese, while 56 percent of Solomon Island men smoke cigarettes, with an increase number of women that also smokes.

88 out of a hundred Solomon Islanders do not have a proper diet or do not have proper meals.

“We have a very high level of physical inactivity and live on unhealthy fast foods and refined foods leading to obesity”, PM Hou said.

Prime Minister Hon. Rick Houenipwela with participants of the NCD Policy Roadmap Consultative Roundtable meeting.

Forum on climate change happening in Honiara

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

A National Water and Climate Change Forum will be held tomorrow in Honiara. This Forum is focusing on resilience of water for domestic uses in the face of climate change. Its objective is to empower local and sector level water and climate change champions, through knowledge exchange, to boost the scale of climate action in sectors and communities.

The Forum’s target audience are champions in the area of climate resilient water, at all levels, including community and township representatives, Provincial Governments, civil society, private sector, international organizations, development partners and National Government.

To achieve the objective, the Forum will provide space for champions, including people on the frontline experiencing climate change impacts, practitioners and decision makers from government and non-government, to share and exchange experiences, best practices, challenges and lessons learnt in how to adapt to climate change for resilience in water for domestic uses.

The impacts of climate change are often felt first through water. By 2050, globally, it is projected that at least one in four people will be affected by recurring water shortages (United Nations).

For the Solomon Islands, this is already a reality for much of the population and Water and sanitation are common development challenges and priorities in Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016-2035 states that “during the provincial consultation process, access to water supply and improved sanitation was highlighted as the highest priority need, particularly in rural areas.”

In the Forum, National Government will share latest trends in water and climate change as they relate to Solomon Islands, provide an overview of the relevant legislative and policy environments and introduce projects and initiatives of relevance.

There will be a focus on both the impacts of climate change on domestic water to demonstrate the need and urgency to adapt for resilience and also on the practicalities of adaptation, including showcasing some innovative technologies and approaches. Multiple organizations (government and non-government) will showcase their experiences, best practices, challenges and lessons learnt.

National Government will wrap up the Forum by discussing next steps for accelerating scaling up of adaptation in the water sector and set out a roadmap for any associated policy and/or sectoral coordination actions. Anticipated outcomes of the Forum are the launch of a National Water and Sanitation Policy, foster increased understanding of practical actions as well as a call to action joint statement for Climate Change Adaptation Programming in the Water Sector as well as Roadmap for establishing a Technical Working Group on Water/WASH and Climate Change.

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