BY INDY MAEALASIA
General Secretary of the Solomon Islands National Teachers Association (SINTA), Robert Lafisi, has called on parents and guardians to support and understand teachers’ calls for improved welfare and working conditions.
Lafisi made the remarks following the union’s formal submission of a 28-day strike notice to the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
He urged them to see the bigger picture and consider the conditions that teachers face daily.
“Parents and guardians, it’s true we are all concerned about our children’s education. But we must also think about those handling our children in the classroom. They are suffering.
“They need assistance and support to do their jobs well. The more we support and uplift them, the more that will reflect in the way they teach and care for our children,” said Lafisi.
The strike notice, effective from July 22 until August 29, calls on the government to urgently address ongoing issues affecting teachers.
The general secretary called for understanding from the public and stressed that the goal is not disruption, but meaningful change.
“Let this be the time we stop and listen to our teachers, hear their cries, understanding the difficulties they go through. If we want our children to succeed in school, we must also look after those who teach them,” he said.
He furthered that improving teachers’ welfare is a shared responsibility.
“Let us be fair. Education is important, but the people delivering that education can only do better when they are well supported. There is something wrong with the conditions our teachers are facing, and we must acknowledge that and help them,” said Lafisi.
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