BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Teachers and nurses are the only faces of government can be seeing right in the rural areas across the country, though there are presence of other reach of government services.

And despite the immense contribution of these sectors to the development of the country, they continue to face significant challenges that to some extent, brought setback to the services provided.

In the education sector, the restructure of teachers’ salary is at the core of important issues teachers have been faced for decades.

The national government, however, recognised the matter by coming up with a new teachers’ salary structure, but teachers are still waiting for its implementation.

This week, Opposition Leader, Matthew Wale questioned the GNUT on the undertaking and other proposed government policies to strengthen and improve education services in the country.

He said in education, the new teachers’ salary structure, though finalized, remains unimplemented.

Wale added the reviewed of School Education Grant Policy has not translated into tangible support for schools.

He echoed that the much-needed School Infrastructure Development Plan sits idle, with no improvements yet felt on the ground.

Wale furthered the Tertiary Student Loan Scheme, announced by His Excellency again in 2025, to widen access to higher education, remains non-operational.

Moreover, the leader said the critical reforms such as the review of the SITESA Act and the TVET legislative framework are still incomplete.

He said during the inquiry into the 2024 actual expenditure, the PEC discovered that the scholarships budget alone was underspent by about 70m, when many students were eligible for awards.

“In fact, the total underspend in education could more than fund SINU and make all its programmes free to all students, subject to academic entry requirements.

“It seems government is uninterested in these things. Yet these are the initiatives that are more likely to produce strategic change and gain across society and in the economy,” Wale said.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has strengthened its workforce with the recent recruitment of health professionals posted to duty stations across the country.

“I am happy to announce that the Ministry has progressed the recruitment of 180 nurses and 35 doctors, with the majority receiving their postings to the duty stations in the provinces,” Minister Paul Bosawai told parliament on Monday.

The move comes as the country continues to face shortages of health professionals, particularly in rural and provincial areas. Minister Bosawai attributed the progress to a significant increase in the Ministry’s staffing and training budget — from $2.5 million in 2024 to $5 million in 2025.

“This has enabled the Ministry to accommodate and process more applicants from provincial health divisions, national programs and medical departments, and health support services. The training budget is focused on long-term training through in-service and short-term training, both local and international, on technical areas.

Minister Bosawai also highlighted employment reforms at the National Referral Hospital (NRH), where staff previously on casual arrangements have now been transitioned to fixed-term contracts, following recommendations made during a previous parliamentary debate.

“These health professionals will add value to the current health care services in the provinces, hence improving the quality of care “he added.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale has called on the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) to come-up with an effective policy to address youth unemployment in the country.

The call came following what Wale described as “no serious plan” by GNUT to tackle youth unemployment, even other pressing issues face by youths.

The Opposition Leader highlighted the above this week in his official response to the 2025 speech from the throne by Governor General, Sir David Tiva Kapu.

Recalling the speech Kapu had spoken of empowerment for youths that make up 70 percent of the country’s population.

“His Excellency acknowledged in his 2025 speech from the throne that youth make up 70% of our population and spoke of empowerment.

“Yet, government has not presented a serious plan to tackle youth unemployment,” Wale said.

He added that no targeted job creation strategy, no clear investment in youth enterprises and no practical pathways from education to employment have been delivered.

“Promises of inclusion mean little if an entire generation is left without opportunity,” Wale said.

The government’s failure to empower youths has resulted in number of setbacks the country continues to face.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

BY LORETTA B MANELE

David Gina, Member of Parliament for South New Georgia Rendova-Tetepare constituency has called on the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) to have greater emphasis on national security.

Speaking in parliament yesterday, he initially stated that the nation demands leaders who are willing to sacrifice themselves for their people.

“We must be dedicated to build a better tomorrow.”

In relation, he said security has become a greater concern to us today.

Gina mentioned that in the last ten years, security has spiralled to a different level and it demands them to address it heads on.

He referred to “climate change, diseases, riots, social instability, food security and international crime as some examples of security issues.

Gina called on the government to pursue national security acts to address such issues.

“Matters of national security must not be compromised.”

Moreover, he said in terms of our border security, it looks like the government has no commitment for this.

Gina added that Western province has security border management but the country needs one for provinces like Temotu and Malaita and have in place provincial border offices.

“I want the PM to look at this very carefully.”

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Leader of the Official Opposition Group in Parliament, Matthew Wale has raised the seriousness of cash flow, leakages and unfulfilled finance policies the country continues to endure.

Speaking in parliament this week in response to the speech from the throne by His Excellency, Governor General, Sir David Tiva Kapu, on the priority policies of GNUT, Wale pointed out that most of the policies under the government’s 100 days plan, especially on Finance remained unfulfilled.

He revealed that at the heart of government’s public financial management, persistent cash flow problems and leakages continue to undermine stability and the credibility of government’s budget implementation.

This is despite clear commitments under the 100-Day Policy to strengthen public finance management, these issues worsened throughout 2024.

Wale said the measures currently employed, such as stricter monitoring of payroll and procurement, while useful, do not address the root causes, they simply delay or deny expenditure.

“Consequently, ministries have been starved of operational funds affecting the delivery of services, and critical projects have been delayed or abandoned.

“The inability to control leakages and stabilize cash flow fundamentally undermines any claim to economic transformation,” he said.

Wale also noted that although, it is typical government policy cannot be implemented if it is not in the budget.

“In our situation, even if policy has been included in the budget, there is no guarantee that it will be implemented.

“The tail the wags the dog is the persistent precarious cash flows problem that has rendered treasury a hub for the rationing of scarce cash resources.

“The credibility of government promises of economic transformation stand or fall on Treasury’s ability to ration cash.

“In other words, there is a disconnect – a government that cannot manage its own finances cannot credibly promise economic transformation,” he said.

Wale stressed there is an argument to be made for seeking greater efficiencies in the machinery of government, and in the delivery of services.

“However, it seems to me the two most critical leakages that must be addressed are corruption and excessive procurement contracts, and the two may be linked,” he mentioned.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]