BY CHRIS ALEX

Pinalita Kabokera, a dedicated trainee at the Bethesda Disability Training and Support Centre (DTSC) from Western Province, has issued a heartfelt call for authorities to recognize and address the pressing needs of special schools.

Kabokera, who began her training at the DTSC this year, has faced numerous challenges that have raised critical questions about the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in society.

During her time at the DTSC, Kabokera experienced firsthand the difficulties that students with disabilities encounter.

“Why are people with disabilities always left out in our societies?” she asked, emphasizing the urgent need for greater support and recognition from community leaders and responsible authorities.

 “We are part of the communities, and we really need support from everyone to push us forward to achieve our goals,” she stressed.

One of the most pressing issues Kabokera highlighted is the inadequate physical environment of special schools.

At Bethesda DTSC, dormitories are frequently threatened by flooding during the rainy season due to poor location and infrastructure.

Emergency evacuations to school halls have become a distressing norm, highlighting the urgent need for safer, more accessible facilities.

“In rainy seasons, our dormitories are overrun with floodwaters, forcing students to flee to higher grounds,”

“It’s the saddest thing; sometimes, not all of us can make it quickly enough, which puts us at greater risk and burdens our staff with the responsibility of managing such crises,” Kabokera said.

Her remarks call for immediate attention to the poor infrastructure and health conditions at the Bethesda Disability Training and Support Centre.

Her experiences shed light on the broader issues faced by individuals with disabilities in the Solomon Islands, where systemic barriers often hinder access to education and support.

As Kabokera continues her training, her advocacy serves as a reminder of the critical need for investment in special education facilities.

Photo: Supplied

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BY CHRIS ALEX

School Principal of Toroiwango, Karl Manira is pleased to share several exciting updates on infrastructure developments and future plans that aim to enhance student welfare and educational quality.

“We are happy to report that the new Girls’ Toilet Block, funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), is nearing completion.

“Once finalized, this essential facility will significantly improve hygiene and sanitation for our female students. A formal handover ceremony is expected to be held in the coming months,” he said.

In a major co-funded initiative, construction has begun on two new three-bedroom staff houses. This project is a partnership between the Solomon Islands-Australia Partnership, WMC, and the school.

Building materials have already arrived on-site, and initial work is well underway. The project is targeting a completion date of March 2026, with an official handover planned for June 2026. This effort aims to improve staff accommodation and support long-term teacher retention.

The school is also making significant strides in finalizing its Whole School Development Plan (WSDP) for the years 2026 to 2034.

Scheduled for submission in November 2025, the WSDP sets a bold vision to transform Toroiwango into a leading junior secondary institution in the East Arosi Region West Makira Constituency.

Based on a recent school census, the plan outlines strategic priorities in three critical areas.

-Infrastructure: Expansion of classrooms and development of specialized facilities such as a science laboratory and technical workshops.

-Technology: Introduction of a reliable solar power system and the creation of a fully equipped computer lab.

-Welfare: Upgrading staff housing and launching a boarding program to support students from remote communities and ensure equitable access to education.

Photo: IslandTech Solomons

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Director General of the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP), Noan Pakop, has called on Pacific nations for collective action to protect the region’s ocean, describing it as both “our identity and our lifeline”.

Speaking at the Second Pacific Islands Oceans Conference in Honiara, Pakop said the meeting came at a defining moment, as the world reaches the halfway point of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

“If we are to achieve the ocean we want, one that is healthy, resilient and productive, we must accelerate our actions, deepen our partnerships and strengthen our collective resolve,” he told delegates.

He cautioned that converging threats such as climate change, overfishing, marine pollution and biodiversity loss are jeopardising food security, livelihoods and ecosystems.

“Unity and coordinated regional action remain the Pacific’s greatest strength,” he said.

Highlighting regional achievements, Pakop pointed to French Polynesia’s creation of the world’s largest marine protected area and Vanuatu’s bold push to extend bans on bottom trawling as examples of Pacific leadership on the global stage.

 “The small island developing states can lead with influence and impact, when united, resourceful and resilient,” he said.

The Director General also emphasised the collaborative role of CROP agencies, including SPC, FFA, SPREP, USP and OPOC, in combining science, policy and traditional knowledge to sustain Pacific fisheries, protect biodiversity and advance ocean governance.

He urges governments, civil society, the private sector, women and youth to work hand in hand.

“The ocean is everyone’s business. Our greatest legacy must be twofold; a thriving ocean and a generation of Pacific Islanders equipped with knowledge, skill and cultural wisdom to sustain it,” he said.

The conference, hosted by Solomon Islands, continues discussions on strengthening ocean science, governance and partnerships across the Pacific region.

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By JOHN HOUANIHAU

Pacific Ocean Commissioner, Dr Filimon Manoni, urges Pacific leaders, scientists, policymakers, and communities to work collectively to safeguard the region’s ocean.

Delivering his keynote address in this week’s Pacific Islands Ocean Conference in Honiara, Manoni described collaboration as “not just important, but essential”.

Reflecting on what he described as a good year for the ocean, he highlighted Pacific leadership at global forums such as the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France and strong regional advocacy at the UN General Assembly in New York.

“Pacific leaders understand the burden they carry today in preparing future generations for the stewardship of the ocean.

“The Pacific has not been sitting idle. We have taken steps at the regional and national levels through conventions, treaties, and marine policies to sustainably manage our ocean,” Manoni said.

He acknowledges that global progress has been uneven, pointing to the stalled negotiations for a plastics treaty.

Manoni calls for renewed momentum at the upcoming UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) in December, pressing for an agreement robust enough to address the full cycle of plastics and provide meaningful support for small island developing states.

He also highlighted the need to balance science, technology, and policy with traditional Pacific knowledge and values.

“Our traditions of celestial navigation, sacred marine spaces, and seasonal fishing calendars reflect our deep ecological intelligence. These must remain at the centre of ocean governance,” he said.

He said that the Pacific voice must remain united on the global stage.

“We are not islands in a far sea, but a sea of islands,” he said, invoking the late Pacific scholar Epeli Hau‘ofa’s famous words.

Addressing young people, he reminded them of their role as future custodians of the ocean.

“Do not let the size of the ocean intimidate you. It is your home, your heritage, and your identity. Your responsibility is to ensure it maintains its bountifulness into the future.

“Pacific solutions are global solutions. Only through collaboration, science, traditional knowledge, and shared responsibility can we secure the ocean for generations to come,” he concluded.

Photo: Supplied

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BY NED GAGAHE

The Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) has continued to deliver for its members, with benefit payments, membership growth, and strong liquidity reported for the financial year ending 30 June 2025.

Speaking during the official announcement of the 2025 crediting rate at the Heritage Park Hotel yesterday, SINPF CEO and General Manager Mike Wate said a total of 7,789 formal benefits worth $376 million were paid out during the year.

This marks an increase from 7,554 benefits worth $342 million paid in 2024, with the bulk of payments going to retiring members aged 50 years and above.

Employer registrations also grew, reflecting ongoing recovery in the economy with 225 new employers joining the Fund in 2025, up from 192 from the previous year.

Wate highlighted the continuing growth of the Fund’s youSave product, which caters for workers in the informal sector.

6,082 new youSave members were registered in 2025, slightly down from 6,132 in 2024.

Total membership climbed to 49,836, compared to 43,768 in 2024.

Gross savings reached $107.1 million, while net savings stood at $50.7 million — up 22% and 18% respectively.

Contributions from informal members rose to $19.1 million, compared to $18.5 million last year.

Benefit payouts to youSave members also increased, with 11,262 benefits worth $12.5 million paid, up from 9,508 benefits worth $10.6 million in 2024.

“This shows more Solomon Islanders in the informal sector are trusting the Fund to save for their future, and they are also receiving increasing benefits from their savings,” Wate said.

The Fund’s liquidity position also remained strong, despite declining net contributions.

SINPF recorded a net contribution of $40.3 million after incoming contributions of $431.7 million against member withdrawals of $391.5 million. This was down from $67.5 million in 2024.

Nevertheless, free cash reserves rose to $284 million, compared to $213.7 million last year.

“These reserves ensure we can meet member withdrawals at any time, while also providing funds for new investments currently under consideration,” Wate explained.

Wate assured members that all benefit payments are fully financed from incoming contributions, while investment income is used to fund new ventures and cover operational costs.

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