DEAR EDITOR, within the last couple of weeks ago the students of Mbokonavera community high school have raised a complaint in the public media about the issue of poor and non-attendance of teachers in the classroom learning periods that contributed poorly towards the students’ academic preparation for the coming national form 3 & 5 exams for this year 2018.

The students have the right in raising those issues because they have been paying for their education as a form of school fees by their parents and guardians.

I belief this is a national issue that experienced almost in every schools nation-wide.

The non-attempt towards addressing of this matter can greatly deprive the rights of the students towards the potential and quality education that enhance future educational prosperity that also beneficial for our nation in term of trained human resources that help to mandate the welfare of the nation.

The issue of non-attendance towards classroom lesson periods without good reasons is a negligence of duty an offend that deserves some forms of discipline measures to be taken by the school administration to control such unacceptable attitudes.

It doesn’t make sense in keeping teachers that cannot perform but hold on to teaching posts as secured source of income earning while the students learning continue to be victimised.

The best option to be taken by the teachers who cannot be able to uphold the integrity of the teaching profession with poor working attitude is to resign and look for other job opportunities elsewhere thus giving replacement spaces for other potential and proactive teachers who can do better.

The school administration must understand their roles to do the right thing and that is to be proactive in its duties or else teachers may take advantages of its weaknesses that abuse the learning of the students.

The non-attempt towards addressing teachers absenteeism in our school learning environment only reflect badly on the school administrations that is non-functional and failed to up hold their roles and obligation when it comes to monitoring and discipline policies of the school that promoting quality education.

Any abnormalities that may rise in the school learning environment should be dealt and answerable by the school administration for the good of the learning of our children.

The education authorities who look after the various individual schools have to assess and evaluate the work of the school administration to make sure they perform to an acceptable standard so that the academic welfare of each school is well managed.

Those young educated elites who wish to go into teaching profession must be prepared to suffer for the good of the nation by meeting challenges such as poor teachers working condition that contribute greatly towards the poor working attitudes that affect performance of many teachers nation-wide.

The issue raised by the Mokonavera CHS students should be taken in board by Honiara town education authority to make sure teachers and administration provide quality learning deserved by the students in that particular school.

Jacob Ofasia

Talise Market

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

MORE than 50 incumbent, intending and aspiring women candidates filled the National Parliament yesterday for the opening of the five days “Practice Parliament for Women” program.

Tim Breese the Acting Commissioner of the New Zealand High Commission in his opening speech asked what is the value of more women in parliament.

“More women in government equal better government.

“Governments are more open, free, transparent and successful with more women,” said Breese.

Speaker of Parliament, Ajilon Jasper Nasiu, being one of the key addressors during the opening program welcomed the women participants with great enthusiasm and confidence that in the near future, together, will be breaking the glass ceiling open in Solomon Islands.

The opening program was also addressed by HE Mr. Shigeru Toyama, Ambassador of Embassy of Japan, Ms Azusa Kubota the UNDP Country Manager, as the key note address was given by the Speaker of Parliament.

“This is our place and we should be here,” said Rose Liata, participant and Provincial Minister for Women in Malaita Province.

“The only barrier is culture, and when our people are educated on their constitution and the role MP’s should be playing as helpers to their communities, the barriers will break down,” said Mrs Liata.

According to Vois Blong Mere Solomon (VBMS) in their Press Release yesterday, it is an exciting time for women’s representation in parliament as the afternoon session featured a Panel discussion with Honourable Freda Tuki and the newly minted Honourable Lanelle Tanagada.

Mrs Tanagada’s election marked first time two women having held seats, concurrently, in National parliament.

“Be the voice for the voiceless, be the one who will touch lives, be honest, be humble and maintain your integrity,” Mrs Tanagada implored the participants.

“We must be the voice for the voiceless, champions of our women and the vulnerable.”

The five days program will educate participants in election procedures, ethical campaigning, working with media, good governance, separation of powers, law making processes and Parliamentary procedures.

Practice parliament is the work of a coalition of Solomon Island’s women organisation’s as well as UNDP, the High Commission of New Zealand and Embassy of Japan.

“Women’s rights organisations, like WRAM, are preaching equality of opportunity. We want credit to be given where credit is due. We should not select a man over a woman just because he is a man,” Pionie Boso the Practice Parliament for Women Working Committee member and WRAM Program Manager said.

“Rigid gender norms, traditions, structural barriers and stereotyping have blocked gender equality for too long.”

“Our participants are strong and capable women. It is pleasing to see that we have a few young women and girls here as well, young women who are keen to learn and skill themselves for the Future.”

“Solidarity is an important factor here. By bringing these women together, we hope to strengthen their resolve to be the change so many of us wish to see in our country.”

If one would like to see the participants in action, the Practice Parliament will conclude with a public debate on the Environment Act 1988–‘RESOURCES AND INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT’, starting 8:00am Friday at the National Parliament.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

SINU’S Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Basil Marasinghe has finished what he had come to do for the new institute.

Marasinghe said his three-year contract with the Solomon Islands National University is now lapsed and he is in Australia as a happy man who had contributed successfully to SINU.

“My Mission was to convert a College of Higher Education to a fully pledged University has been fulfilled.

“This achievement was made possible by commitment and support of academic and non-academic staff, hardworking senior managers and support of students.”

Marasinghe said although SINU was given university status on January 1, 2013, when he arrived in June 3, 2015 for practical purposes, it was still a Solomon Islands College of Higher Education (SICHE).

He explained during the first three years not a single new academic programme or a significant infrastructure project had commenced.

Given the duty as Acting Vice Chancellor from 2016—2018 there are tangible developments seen because of the team work of SINU board and staffs throughout.

Marasinghe said from 2016—2018, 30 new academic programmes were introduced followed by 10 bachelor’s degree programmes offered at SINU.

20 percent of academic staff are abroad conducting studies leading to masters and doctoral degrees.

Some staff are studying online and SINU pays their fees. Some other staff are conducting research leading to PhDs in SINU.

Now SINU conducts postgraduate degrees in emergency medicine and also in health.

In terms of development projects of infrastructure and students amenities, Marasinghe said nearly 20 projects commenced during the last two years and most of them have been completed and others are nearing completion.

Fisheries Complex commenced, completed and declared open, and although this project was largely funded by South Korea, SINU too had to spend $10million, he said.

The science, teaching and research complex is expected to be by end of June which completely funded by SINU, he said.

Education Complex—this world class facility is fully funded by SINU (SBD120.0 million); it will be ready in 3 months before the scheduled date.

Students amenities development includes study huts built for every school, 12 computer labs set up for five schools and Panatina Pavilion now refurbished.

Dormitory in Ranadi Campus which has not been used for over 5 years has been refurbished.

Fences for Panatina and Kukum Campuses almost completed except where there are issues with illegal settlers, and fence at the Ranadi Campus has been completed.

Library for Panatina Campus is ready, and funds have been allocated and contracts haven signed to refurbish dormitories in Panatina and Kukum Campuses.

Funds have been allocated to purchase new beddings for dormitories.

He said it must be noted that in most of the universities in the Pacific region and in the world, beddings are not provided and students have to bring their own beddings. 

“When I arrived in SINU 3 years ago, occupancy in dormitories was less than 30 percent now all the dormitories are fully occupied but we will have to build more dormitories soon,” he said.

Until 2016, SINU Accounts have never been prepared and sent to be audited by Auditor General.

Now   the accounts from 2013 – 2016 have been audited by Auditor General. 2017 accounts will be forwarded to AG shortly.

PAYE taxes to the Inland Revenue have not been paid since SINU was given university status.

This has been done and now and SINU is up-to-date with PAYE taxes.

Assets of SINU have been done now by registered assessors (which was never done since SICHE days).

Preparing Annual Reports from 2013 to 2017 are done.

For the first time Students Handbook was published in 2017.

Students gave their fullest cooperation to the management and they are appreciative of infrastructure and students amenities developments.

For the first time since SICHE days a students’ protest and a strike ended in a total failure.

The overwhelming majority of the students rejected recent calls for boycott of lectures and the situation in all three campuses has been peaceful.