Ministry of education begins rollout of new teachers’ pay structure and classification

The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) has officially launched the implementation of the new Teachers’ Pay Structure and Classification, effective yesterday, Thursday, May 15.

This marks a significant step in the ongoing implementation of the Education Act 2023, which aligns with the Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) policy of education, a statement by MEHRD yesterday said.

The initiative underscores the government’s ongoing commitment to improving and supporting the teaching profession in a fair and equitable manner, the statement said.

Teachers play a critical role in educating the nation’s children and preparing them for future careers and life – they are highly valued for the essential work they do in educating the nation’s children.

The introduction of this new pay structure reinforces the Solomon Islands Government’s commitment to upholding the teaching profession with dignity and fairness, the statement said.

Starting May 15 all teachers across the country will have received their salaries under the new pay structure, following the completion of a comprehensive teacher data verification and validation process.

This process involved collaboration between the MEHRD Teaching Service Division, the MEHRD Education Management and Information System (EMIS), and the Aurion payroll system, managed jointly by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) and the Ministry of Public Service.

The new position-based teacher classification applies to classroom teachers, senior classroom teachers, and school leaders or principals, ensuring equity and fairness in salary distribution, the statement said.

Additionally, it establishes a foundation for performance-based salary progression in the future. This new salary structure operates independently of the Public Service Unified Pay Structure and applies to all school-based teachers at both the primary and secondary levels.

Phase 1 of the teacher classification and salary concentrated on teachers teaching the Primary Preparation Year, Primary Schools and Secondary Schools. Phase 2 will concentrate on TVET teachers and Early Childhood Education (ECE) centre teachers, and the review of teachers’ allowances.

TVET and ECE Teachers

Dr Rodie stated that for teachers in the Rural Training Centres, integration into the new structure will be addressed in Phase 2, which will be the next project undertaken by MEHRD in preparation for implementation, ideally in 2026. In the meantime, teachers at the Rural Training Centres will continue to receive their fortnightly salaries at the current level/rate they have been receiving up to this payday (Thursday, 15 May). MEHRD is in the process of finalizing a TVET policy aimed at modernizing the TVET system in the country, with plans for implementation around June/July 2025. Once this policy is in place, the classification and salary structure for Rural Training Centre teachers will be aligned with the newly introduced wage structure for primary and secondary teachers.

Similarly, new ECE teachers who may have joined ECE centres in 2025 but are not yet registered with MEHRD may be paid according to the previous ECE wage level, provided they register as ECE teachers with MEHRD. As part of the revised Education System structure, in accordance with the Education Act, 2023, children aged 3 to 4 years are expected to attend ECE classes. MEHRD is also finalizing a policy to modernize the ECE teacher classification and salary structure to align with the new framework.

Registered ECE teachers who were previously recruited by ECE operators and have since been reassigned by the Ministry (starting in 2023) to teach 5-year-old children in the Primary Preparation Year (PPY) classes throughout the country’s primary schools are expected to receive the new pay structure.

Job Evaluation and Allowances

The new pay structure is based on the results of an extensive job evaluation of teachers and school leaders. Benchmarking was conducted against roles with similar responsibilities and complexity, considering factors such as qualifications, experience, teacher standards, and working conditions.

MEHRD is also working on a proposed supplementary allowance scheme, similar to those in other public service professions. The aim is to streamline administrative processes by consolidating allowances into a single pay package.

Budget and Cost

The rollout of the new pay structure and classification is supported by the 2025 MEHRD Payroll budget, which totals $64 million. This budget was approved by both Cabinet and Parliament in 2024. Dr. Rodie, emphasized that the reform was long overdue but acknowledged the significant amount of work required to make it a reality. This included reviewing and replacing the Teaching Service Handbook (2011) with new Administrative Instructions, as well as conducting research to ensure the teacher classification and salary structure were comparable to those in other Pacific Island countries or developing countries who face circumstances as our country’s education system.

An experienced technical advisor, who had worked in the education sectors of three Pacific Island countries, was brought in to assist the Senior Management Team at MEHRD, as well as staff from the Teaching Service Division, Education Providers, to develop the newly introduced Teacher Classification and Salary Structure. MEHRD also received technical support from the Ministry of Public Service, and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury Payroll staff, as well as the Aurion system experts. These collaborative efforts were vital to the successful completion of what is now described today as the “re-levelling” of teachers’ salaries, which essentially represents a salary increase for teachers. Dr. Rodie confirmed that the pay-out to teachers cover the backpay for teachers, effective from 2nd February 2025.

Dr. Rodie also confirmed that teachers are entitled to a 3% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), with backdated payments to account for any delays in processing. These payments are expected to be made to teachers, and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury will inform us the actual date when the COLA would be paid to teachers.

Dr. Rodie extends his acknowledgement and thanks to the Governments of Solomon Islands, Australia and New Zealand through the Education Sector Support Program for the financial and technical assistance rendered to the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development to make the Teacher Salary Relevelling project a reality.

The Minister of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), Ricky Fuo’o, has acknowledged recent public concerns regarding the deteriorating road conditions within Honiara’s central business district and its impact on daily commutes and business activities.

Having assumed this portfolio just two weeks ago, Minister Fuo’o sincerely apologises to the public, private sector, and all road users for the recent traffic congestion and disruptions, a statement by MID yesterday said.

He emphasized that the ministry is actively working to improve the situation and provide clarity on ongoing maintenance efforts, especially along Mendana Avenue.

“This road section has far exceeded its design lifespan. The foundation is no longer reliable, which is why potholes and crocodile cracks were appearing all over the road pavement. 

“Our civil engineering team and the engaged contractors will continue to undertake pothole patching work while waiting for a comprehensive upgrade under the Land and Maritime Connectivity Project (LMCP),” Minister Fuo’o said.

He said remedial work will ease the congestion for the time being.

“Currently, there will be no full reconstruction of this 1.7-kilometer section. Instead, the contractors are undertaking remedial works to keep it safe and trafficable for road users. “This temporary measure is intended to maintain functionality while we prepare for full rehabilitation under the LMCP once asphalt laying on the Tandai Highway (Townground to White River) is completed,” the minister explained.

Minister Fuo’o also clarified that investing hefty funding of approximately SBD25 million into full rehabilitation at this stage would be unwise, as the section is slated for complete overhaul under LMCP.

“A full rehabilitation would involve removing the failed road foundation entirely and installing new approved materials along with an improved drainage system designed to withstand heavy rainfall and stormwater,” he said.

Deputy Secretary Technical, Mike Qaqara, provided additional insights, citing the previous contractor work under the JICA phase 1 (2016-2018) only carried out surface repairs along the Mendana Avenue, including median fencing and kerbing works, without a comprehensive rehabilitation of the pavement.

Recently, local contractors have been engaged to perform maintenance work, initially using chip sealing methods.

However, to address the current situation, they instructed the contractors to use a concrete-stabilized base material, a combination of base material and cement.

“This is an approach that enhances durability against the heavy downpours and poor drainage issues we face,” Qaqara explained.

He added that due to adverse weather conditions this week, contractors have temporarily paused pothole patching work but will continue with the temporary patching work using stabilized materials.

“At the moment the focus will be on critical sections from Solomon Motors to the HCC,” Qaqara said, adding that construction crews will work during night hours when traffic is low.

The LMCP, funded collaboratively by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Solomon Islands Government, project spans from White River to HCC Roundabout and from Henderson to Mberande-East Guadalcanal Highway.

Contractor China Civil Engineering Construction Cooperation (CCECC) is expected to commence asphalt laying for Tandai Highway in June if weather permits. After completing this section, the team will proceed eastward from Heritage Park Roundabout to the HCC Roundabout.

Qaqara reiterates that local contractors are also working on specific and routine maintenance for Honiara feeder roads—both sealed and unsealed—in the East, Central, and West constituencies.

All base materials used are subjected to laboratory testing to ensure quality before re-graveling and chip sealing.

“Our engineers are also providing monitoring and site inspection for these lots and are supported by the safeguards team.”

MID remains committed to improving our city’s road infrastructure and appreciates the community’s patience and understanding during this process.