BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Solomon Islands National Teachers Association (SINTA) and the Solomon Islands Government Negotiation Team signed a Master Agreement (MA) on Friday, 29 August, 2025 to address the longstanding welfare issues of teachers across the country.
This is to solve the SINTA’s nationwide 28-day strike notice issued to the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 and laps on the 29th of August, 2025.
The MA was signed by Dr. Franco Rodie, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), Chair of the SIG Negotiation Team, Dr. Melchior Mataki, and Mr Robert Lafisi, General Secretary of SINTA.
Under this submission, SINTA has outlined seven formal demands for MEHRD to consider.
“I think we were pleased that we have reached an agreement on the issues that have been brought forward to us. Of course, in any agreement, we have to concede or sometimes you have to give and take, and I think what’s important is that both sides, in the true spirit of collaboration and partnership, in a way, we reach an understanding on these issues,” said Chair of the SIG Negotiation Team, Dr. Melchior Mataki after the signing.
He thanked the government team, a joint team from within government, the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Public Service, and the Ministry of Finance.
The signing was witnessed by Luke Cheka, Permanent Secretary of the Public Service; McKinnie Dentana, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury; and Frank Roboliteé, Acting President of SINTA.
The terms of agreement are:
- Job Security for Teachers
- Recognition of Teachers’ Experience
- Teachers’ Salary backdating to January 1st, 2024
- Early Childhood, Technical and Vocation Education, Training, and Special Needs Education Teachers’ Salary and Classification
- Long and Dedicated Service Benefit
- Establishment of the Teachers Housing Taskforce
- Teachers’ Annual Leave Package
- Balancing Employment benefits with professionalism, conduct, and performance
“I’d like to acknowledge the support from the government itself, from our political leaders who have been following closely the discussions as well as the issue as it unfolded over the past 27 days. So, I believe that this agreement will also lead to the withdrawal of the strike notice by SINTA,” he said.
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