DEAR EDITOR, a good number of students undertaking their Degree courses in various programmes at the University of The South Pacific in Solomon Islands Campus (Honiara) have been victimised by the poor internet services provided with in the USP Campus.

This was made more frustration to some of us who doing our online studies here which requires all times must be connected to the internet before we can able to do our academic works such us participating in discussion forums, uploading tutorial, attempting online quizzes or tests and uploading of assignments.

This ongoing issue of poor internet connection has affected us and resulted in losing marks.

This problem of poor internet service is encountered by students every day since beginning of this semester, therefore it could be seen that USP is not providing good services here in Solomon Island Campus.

In addition, apart from the internet services, the study environment within the campus is very limited to accommodate more than 2,000 students undertaking their studies in Preliminary, Foundations and Degree programmes here in USP Solomon Island Campus because limited space and students did not comfortable in such overcrowded environment when they doing their studies.

I personally can describe the service provided here as “first come, first save”.

The description that I used was not express out from my own view but it was told by one of the USP Campus Staff responsible in looking after the GPL computer lab.

As students undertaking online course we have to come to campus every day to sit down and access the internet, but because of limited space to acquire all the students I had been affected negatively in my studies.

I could not submit and post my tutorials on time.

Whoever came early as 6am in the morning will find space to sit down and study.

If you came in after 8am then am afraid no space is available.

The challenges that we faced with regards to the above is a great risk to us especially for the sponsored students undertaking our studies here at the USP SI campus under the Solomon Islands Government scholarship (SIG) because we will be victimised by the National Training Unit (NTU) policies once we perform poorly in the first semester academic results.

Therefore, I urge the responsible officers here in Solomon Island Campus to look for some possible solutions to issues raised in this letter so that students can perform better in their academic results at the end of this semester.

Relmah Ha’ananga

USP SI campus

DEAR EDITOR, as a student and a concerned citizen of Solomon Islands, it is sad to know that Solomon Islands has the highest rate of unemployment.

This has become an issue and a problem for the country especially the youths.

Currently, youths and women are vulnerable to this where 80 percent of people end up in criminal activities, prostitution, and anti-social behavior.

In our capital today, u can see young people along the streets selling betel-nuts, cigarette for the means of earning a living.

Whilst some young girls went to those fishing vessels to used up their bodies in exchange for money.

Moreover, others also involving in selling our local brew for fast income which is illegal.

In order to underlying the importance of this issue, there needs to be an increase of educational institution for the large number of drop outs to further their studies.

Provide more jobs allocation for the low qualification to afford jobs to sustain their living thus help in reducing unemployments in the rural area.

Hence, if our relevant authorities or our government would consider these points, then we should reduce these legal activities which taking place frequently in our country.

This is for the betterment of our people to live a happy, joyous, peaceful and a prosperous life from shore to shore in our happy Isles Solomon Islands.

Yours sincerely,

Edrie Hanirara

Emalus Campus, USP

DEAR EDITOR, as a young woman, I currently find myself struck with outrage following the recent escalation in reported rape offences in our society.

Since the beginning of 2018, I have personally read about five different rape cases published by the media.

As we all know, the subject of rape is a culturally sensitive matter that is not often discussed openly or freely by many.

Nevertheless, if we truly aspire to address this problem then we must take action now.

First and foremost, we all must acknowledge this simple fact: ‘Rape is not just a woman’s issue. It is also a man’s issue’.

Therefore, it requires everyone’s collective efforts to strive toward the common good for our girls and women.

Responsible authorities such as the ministry responsible for women’s affairs and non-governmental organisations should consider incorporating more educational initiatives to provide awareness at community levels and within our schools.

These awareness programmes should provide basic information about rape and the social institutions which are triggering it to thrive in our society.

Educating people, especially our youth, is essential because it provides them with a better understanding of the issue.

Our youth are the leaders of tomorrow, therefore it is important that we keep them informed of the happenings in their societies.

These values and ideas will hopefully one day be used to effectively reduce the high prevalence of rape in our country.

This subject must not be overlooked.

Victims of sexual violence within our communities must be encouraged to speak up and seek justice.

It is time to break the walls of silence to protect the rights of our girls and women.

Andrea Ma’ahanua

DEAR EDITOR, as a concern citizen and public user of the road, I would like to write concerning the above issue that has becoming one of the factor that contributed to the so called term, “Solomon time”.

As this issue came into place, little has been done to solve it until it become worsen that I have to write.

Now a days, if you were to go to any public service office as early as 8:00 AM you would see that the office is still empty.

For instance, few months ago I went to the bank and there were only few tailers there until 10am.

Even bus go on short route because of the traffic jam which further add to another problem.

Of course the increase in number of new vehicles has been one of the factor however, if we have good roads with proper signs and street lights, that wouldn’t be a problem.

The number of vehicles imported into our country should also be reduced.

There are also too many pot holes along our roads that needs to be fixed which contributes to this issue.

Our Government or responsible authorities should by now take some action in considering some of considered ideas above.

It’s good to see that our new round about at town council contributes to the flow of traffic on that area, as other maintenance are currently ongoing at Kukum and Didao area.

Hopefully all our roads, especially our main roads are upgraded with proper signs and street lights along the roads to control the flow of traffic.

Alaendra Lenell Muke

USP Emalus Campus