BY NED GAGAHE
Guadalcanal Province has taken the lead in a new national initiative that aims to make schools safer and more resilient to growing threats of climate change and natural disasters.
Yesterday, at a vibrant ceremony was held at Mbalasuna Primary School on the Guadalcanal Plains where the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), Guadalcanal Province, and UNICEF officially launched the School-Based Disaster and Climate Resilience (SBDCR) Planning Program for 13 schools across three wards in the province.
The launch was attended by key stakeholders, including the Minister of Education for Guadalcanal Provincial Government, John Botsi, MEHRD Deputy Secretary for Education Services, Christopher Sakiri, and UNICEF’s Programme Specialist for Climate and Environment, Daeun Han.
The program, supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and implemented with technical guidance from UNICEF, is designed to strengthen the capacity of schools, teachers, and communities to prepare for and respond to disasters while adapting to climate-related risks.
In his keynote address, Minister for Education for Guadalcanal Province, John Botsi highlighted the significance of the initiative, saying it marks “a major step forward in building a climate-smart and disaster-ready education system in the Solomon Islands.”
“Guadalcanal is honoured to be the first to roll out this program. These 13 schools will serve as models as we expand this work nationwide,” he said.
Botsi praised the strong partnership between MEHRD, the Guadalcanal Provincial Government, UNICEF, and KOICA, noting that the collaboration reflects a shared vision for resilient, inclusive, and future-focused education.
The launch also unveiled a newly revised SBDCR Handbook – a practical tool designed to guide school leaders, teachers, and communities in assessing risks, establishing disaster committees, conducting drills, and integrating resilience into school culture.
Minister Botsi welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the critical role of schools in safeguarding children and communities.
“Schools are at the heart of our villages. When they are safe and prepared, our communities are too,” he said.
Over the next four days, school leaders and education officers will undergo training on implementing the SBDCR approach in their schools. MEHRD confirms that the program will eventually be scaled up to schools across other provinces.
Solomon Islands remains highly vulnerable to climate change impacts and natural hazards, including cyclones, floods, and earthquakes. Education services are often disrupted during disasters, putting children’s safety and learning at risk.
With this new initiative, stakeholders are hopeful that integrating disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation directly into school planning will lead to long-term improvements in both education outcomes and community resilience.
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