HCC CALLS FOR ACTION TO PREVENT STUDENT DRIFT TO HONIARA
The Honiara City Council (HCC) is calling on the Minister of Education and Human Resources Development and the GREAT Coalition Government to take action to prevent a possible increase in students moving to Honiara because of the Free Education Policy.
HCC supports the Free Education Policy because it will give more children across the Solomon Islands the opportunity to attend school. The policy will also help parents and guardians by reducing the cost of sending their children to school.
However, HCC is concerned that the policy could lead to more families sending their children to Honiara if schools in the provinces and rural areas are not properly supported.
HCC is calling on the Government and the Ministry of Education to make sure schools outside Honiara have enough classrooms, teachers, learning materials and other basic facilities. Schools in rural and remote communities must provide a safe and suitable environment where children can receive quality education.
HCC said Honiara schools are already facing overcrowding and shortages of learning resources. If more students come to the capital looking for better education opportunities, the pressure on schools will increase. This could lead to larger classes, overcrowded classrooms and reduced quality of learning.
The Council is therefore urging the GREAT Coalition Government to prepare for this possible situation before it becomes a major problem.
HCC believes that improving schools in the provinces and rural communities will allow children to receive quality education closer to their homes. This will also help reduce unnecessary pressure on schools and education facilities in Honiara.
HCC remains committed to supporting the Government’s efforts to provide equal and quality education opportunities for all children in the Solomon Islands.
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霍尼亚拉市议会(HCC)呼吁教育和人力资源发展部长及伟大联盟政府采取行动,以防止因免费教育政策而可能导致的学生涌入霍尼亚拉。
HCC支持免费教育政策,因为这将为所罗门群岛更多的儿童提供上学的机会。该政策还将通过降低送孩子上学的费用来帮助父母和监护人。
然而,HCC担心,如果省份和农村地区的学校得不到适当支持,该政策可能会导致更多家庭将孩子送往霍尼亚拉。
HCC呼吁政府和教育部确保霍尼亚拉以外的学校拥有足够的教室、教师、学习材料和其他基本设施。农村和偏远社区的学校必须提供一个安全和适宜的环境,让孩子们接受优质教育。
HCC表示,霍尼亚拉的学校已经面临拥挤和学习资源短缺的问题。如果更多学生涌入首都寻求更好的教育机会,学校的压力将会增加。这可能导致班级规模增大、教室拥挤和学习质量下降。
因此,市议会敦促伟大联盟政府在这一可能情况成为重大问题之前做好准备。
HCC认为,改善省份和农村社区的学校将使孩子们能够在离家更近的地方接受优质教育。这也将有助于减轻霍尼亚拉学校和教育设施的压力。
HCC始终致力于支持政府为所有所罗门群岛儿童提供平等和优质教育机会的努力。
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From Vision to Reality: 161 Telecommunications Towers Delivered Nationwide. & Friday, 31 July 2026 St. Joseph’s Tenaru School Playing Ground, Guadalcanal Province The Government of Solomon [...]
愿景变为现实:161座电信塔在全国交付。
2026年7月31日,瓜达尔卡纳尔省圣约瑟夫十纳鲁学校操场
所罗门政府 [...]
MEHRD and SITESA Validate National Plan to Strengthen TVET
Honiara, 29 July 2026 - The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) and the Solomon Islands Tertiary Education and Skills Authority (SITESA) hosted a stakeholder validation workshop at the Honiara Hotel to review the TVET Policy Implementation Framework 2026-2031.
The workshop was an important step in putting the Solomon Islands TVET Policy into action. The country needs one coordinated national ...
教育人力资源发展部(MEHRD)与所罗门群岛高等教育与技能局(SITESA)于2026年7月29日在霍尼亚拉酒店举办了一次利益相关者验证研讨会,以审查2026-2031年职业教育与培训政策实施框架。
此次研讨会是将所罗门群岛职业教育与培训政策付诸实践的重要一步。该国需要一个协调一致的国家...
PM WELCOMES OPPOSITION SUPPORT ON FREE EDUCATION PRINCIPLE
PRIME Minister Hon. Matthew Wale has welcomed the Opposition Leader’s support to the free education principle that ‘the classroom shall not be closed in the face of any Solomon Islands child because of the poverty of that child's parents.’
Speaking in his closing remarks to the Speech from the Throne yesterday, the Prime Minister also put on record straight that the policy of this Government is not a slogan called “fee-free.”
“Let me correct this because the name matters. It is ‘Free Education’. It is the deliberate decision of this Government that the gate of the classroom shall not be closed in the face of any Solomon Islands child because of the poverty of that child's parents. That is the principle,” he said.
“I was glad to hear the Honourable Opposition Leader say, in terms, that the Opposition does not oppose the principle. So let the country hear it plainly: on the destination, both sides of this House agree,” he told Parliament.
Prime Minister Wale acknowledged that the debate is about the pathway going forward.
He said on the question of definition, the design of the policy including precisely where the boundary of “free” is drawn, which providers it covers, and how it sits within the Education Act 2023 and the Education Regulations 2024, is being finalised by the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development.
Prime Minister Wale said that design, together with the implementing legislation and its full costing will come before Parliament in the budget session at the end of this year.
“This House will not be asked to vote on a slogan. It will be asked to vote on a Bill and on an appropriation. With the definition and the numbers on the Table, before the first dollar is spent and before the first school year opens under the policy. That is the sequence and it is the right sequence,” he said.
On the question of cost, the Prime Minister said the recurrent commitment is substantial and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury continues to work through it as part of the medium-term fiscal framework.
“I will not pretend to this House that a commitment of this scale leaves the rest of the Budget untouched. There will be changes to the Budget, that is what it means to reorder the priorities of a nation around its children,” he said.
On the question of quality, the Prime Minister said access to education and access to quality education are both achievable and neither will be traded for the other.
“The choice the Opposition Leader placed before the House between free education and quality education, is a false choice and this Government rejects it,” he said.
On the question of donor support, Prime Minister Wale said our development partners today and under every Government are among the biggest supporters of education in Solomon Islands.
“But the Honourable Leader's underlying point is one I accept, and accept fully: start up assistance is not permanent national capacity and a responsible government does not build a permanent policy on scaffolding it does not own,” he said.
“That is exactly why this Government is doing what it is doing: plugging the leakages, broadening the revenue base, and preparing this country, year by year, to absorb the cost of Free Education with its own resources.”
The Prime Minister said the policy is not intended to be dependent for eternity.
“The whole architecture of this Government's fiscal programme, revenue reform included, exists so that the education of Solomon Islands children will stand, in time, on Solomon Islands revenue,” the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Wale also invited the Opposition to bring its “practical Solomon Islands model” as proposed and supported by the Opposition to the committee tables when that legislation is before them.
“I invite the Opposition and I mean this as a genuine invitation, if there are provisions in the Education Act 2023 worth strengthening rather than replacing, let us strengthen them together. A policy for every child in this country deserves the fingerprints of every side of this House,” he said. -PRESS RELEASE
[ENDS]
总理欢迎反对派对免费教育原则的支持
所罗门群岛总理马修·韦尔(Hon. Matthew Wale)欢迎反对派领袖对免费教育原则的支持,认为“任何所罗门群岛的孩子都不应因其父母的贫困而关闭教室。”
在昨天的王座演讲结束时,总理还明确表示,政府的政策不是一个名为“免学费”的口号。
“让我纠正这一点,因为名称很重要。它是‘免费教育’。这是本政府的明确决定,任何所罗门群岛的孩子都不应因其父母的贫困而关闭教室的大门。这就是原则,”他说。
“我很高兴听到尊敬的反对派领袖明确表示,反对派并不反对这一原则。因此,让国家清楚地听到:在目标上,国会两边都达成一致,”他在国会中说道。
总理韦尔承认,辩论的焦点在于未来的道路。
他表示,在定义问题上,政策的设计,包括“免费”的边界在哪里、涵盖哪些提供者,以及如何与2023年教育法和2024年教育法规相结合,正在由教育和人力资源发展部(MEHRD)最终确定。
总理韦尔表示,该设计以及实施立法和全面成本将在今年年底的预算会议上提交国会。
“本院不会被要求对一个口号进行投票。将被要求对一项法案和一项拨款进行投票。在第一美元支出之前,在政策下的第一个学年开始之前,定义和数字将摆在桌面上。这是顺序,也是正确的顺序,”他说。
关于成本问题,总理表示,持续的承诺是相当可观的,财政部(Ministry of Finance and Treasury)继续将其作为中期财政框架的一部分进行处理。
“我不会假装这个规模的承诺不会影响预算的其他部分。预算将会发生变化,这就是围绕儿童重新排序国家优先事项的意义,”他说。
关于质量问题,总理表示,获得教育和获得优质教育都是可以实现的,二者不会相互替代。
“反对派领袖在本院提出的免费教育与优质教育之间的选择是一个错误的选择,本政府对此表示拒绝,”他说。
关于捐助者支持的问题,总理韦尔表示,我们的开发伙伴在今天和每个政府下都是所罗门群岛教育的最大支持者之一。
“但尊敬的领袖的潜在观点是我接受的,并且完全接受:启动援助不是永久的国家能力,负责任的政府不会在不拥有的支架上建立永久政策,”他说。
“这正是本政府所做的:堵住漏洞,拓宽收入基础,并逐年准备这个国家,以便用自己的资源吸收免费教育的成本。”
总理表示,该政策并不打算永远依赖。
“本政府财政计划的整体架构,包括收入改革,存在的目的是为了确保所罗门群岛儿童的教育最终能够依靠所罗门群岛的收入,”总理说。
总理韦尔还邀请反对派在相关立法提交时,将其提出并支持的“实用所罗门群岛模式”带到委员会桌上。
“我邀请反对派,我的确是出于真诚的邀请,如果在2023年教育法中有值得加强而不是替代的条款,让我们共同加强。这个国家每个孩子的政策值得本院每一方的参与,”他说。-PRESS RELEASE
[结束]
MEHRD ANNOUNCES 2026 NATIONAL EXAMINATION DATES AND TIMES & Schools, parents and candidates urged to note the official schedules HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS – The Ministry of [...]
MEHRD(教育与人力资源发展部)宣布2026年全国考试日期和时间 & 学校、家长和考生被敦促注意官方时间表
霍尼亚拉,所罗门群岛 – 教育与人力资源发展部(MEHRD)[...]
SKILLS RECOGNISED, CAREERS STRENGTHENED MEHRD rolls out new pay structure for TVET trainers New classification framework recognises specialised TVET roles and provides a clear pathway for [...]
技能得到认可,职业得到加强 MEHRD推出新的TVET培训师薪酬结构 新的分类框架认可专业TVET角色,并为[...]
Education Minister Outlines Progress on Major Education Reforms
Minister for Education and Human Resources Development, Hon. Stephen Kumi, has outlined the Government's progress in implementing major reforms aimed at creating a more inclusive, equitable and responsive education system in Solomon Islands.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday in support of the Speech from the Throne delivered by the Governor-General, Hon. Kumi reaffirmed that education remains one of the Governm...ent's highest national priorities. He highlighted the allocation of approximately SBD1.4 billion to the education sector in the 2026 National Budget as a clear demonstration of the Government's commitment to investing in the country's future.
The Minister said the reform agenda includes the phased introduction of Free Education from 2027, the establishment of a Ministry of Higher Education, Skills Development, Research and Innovation, curriculum modernisation, improved teacher development and welfare, stronger education governance, and enhanced partnerships with provincial governments, churches, development partners and school communities.
He told Parliament that these reforms are intended to build an education system that is inclusive, equitable and responsive to the country's development needs.
To prepare for the rollout of free education, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) has established a Free Education Taskforce to develop the policy, implementation framework, financing arrangements, governance systems and legislative requirements. Technical advisers supported by development partners are also assisting with education financing, grant management and implementation planning.
Hon. Kumi said MEHRD is close to completing the revised Primary and Junior Secondary Curriculum, while work has begun on reviewing the Senior Secondary Curriculum and the Early Childhood Education Curriculum. By 2027, Solomon Islands is expected to have a coherent curriculum framework covering education from early childhood through to Year 12.
He also announced that a STEM Education in Schools Pilot, supported by UNESCO, has commenced to better prepare students for emerging industries and future employment opportunities.
The Minister said several pieces of legislation are also being progressed, including the Education Digital Transformation Policy and Bill, the Higher Education, Skills Development and Research Bill, the SITESA Amendment Bill, the Solomon Islands University of Technology Bill, and the National TVET Bill. These reforms are expected to strengthen governance, improve quality assurance and modernise the country's education system.
Hon. Kumi further highlighted the implementation of the National TVET Policy and the development of a long-term TVET strategy to strengthen industry partnerships, improve training quality and expand access to technical and vocational education across the country.
While acknowledging challenges such as financing free education, classroom shortages, teacher shortages, digital connectivity and access for rural schools, the Minister said these issues would require continued collaboration between the Government, Parliament, provincial governments, churches, school communities and development partners.
"Our responsibility now is to translate policy into action," Hon. Kumi said.
"The work ahead is considerable, but our direction is clear. Together, we are building an education system that will provide every Solomon Islander with the opportunity to learn, develop skills, contribute to our nation's prosperity and realise their full potential."
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教育部长概述重大教育改革的进展
教育与人力资源发展部长斯蒂芬·库米(Hon. Stephen Kumi)概述了政府在实施旨在创建一个更具包容性、公平性和响应性的所罗门群岛教育系统方面的进展。
库米部长在周三的国会发言中支持总督所作的王座演讲,重申教育仍然是政府的最高国家优先事项之一。他强调,2026年国家预算中大约14亿所罗门元(SBD)分配给教育部门,清楚地表明了政府对投资国家未来的承诺。
部长表示,改革议程包括从2027年逐步引入免费教育,建立高等教育、技能发展、研究与创新部,课程现代化,改善教师发展与福利,加强教育治理,以及与省政府、教会、发展伙伴和学校社区的合作。
他告诉国会,这些改革旨在建立一个包容性、公平性和响应国家发展需求的教育系统。
为准备免费教育的推广,教育与人力资源发展部(MEHRD)已成立免费教育工作组,以制定政策、实施框架、融资安排、治理系统和立法要求。由发展伙伴支持的技术顾问也在协助教育融资、拨款管理和实施规划。
库米部长表示,MEHRD即将完成修订后的小学和初中课程,同时已开始审查高中课程和学前教育课程。到2027年,所罗门群岛预计将拥有一个涵盖从学前教育到12年级的连贯课程框架。
他还宣布,联合国教科文组织支持的学校STEM教育试点项目已开始,以更好地为学生准备新兴产业和未来就业机会。
部长表示,几项立法也在推进中,包括教育数字转型政策和法案、高等教育、技能发展和研究法案、SITESA修正案法案、所罗门群岛科技大学法案以及国家职业教育与培训法案。这些改革预计将加强治理、改善质量保证并现代化国家的教育系统。
库米部长进一步强调实施国家职业教育与培训政策和制定长期职业教育与培训战略,以加强行业合作、提高培训质量并扩大全国技术和职业教育的机会。
虽然承认融资免费教育、教室短缺、教师短缺、数字连接和农村学校的接入等挑战,部长表示,这些问题需要政府、国会、省政府、教会、学校社区和发展伙伴之间的持续合作。
“我们现在的责任是将政策转化为行动,”库米部长说。
“前方的工作量很大,但我们的方向是明确的。我们共同在建设一个教育系统,使每位所罗门群岛人都有机会学习、发展技能,为国家的繁荣做出贡献,实现他们的全部潜力。”
结束
EDUCATION REFORM FACES KEY CHALLENGES: KUMI | Education Minister Hon. Stephen Kumi says the Solomon Islands has made good progress in education, but important challenges still need to be addressed. Speaking in Parliament during his response to the Speech from the Throne, Minister Kumi highlighted issues including maintaining free education, building more classrooms, providing learning materials, improving teacher quality, strengthening education management, expanding digital services, and improving access for rural and remote schools. He said education reforms will require strong cooperation between the national government, Parliament, provincial governments, churches, schools, communities, and development partners. Minister Kumi thanked donor partners and education stakeholders for their continued support, saying their contributions have helped improve schools, increase access to education, and create better opportunities for students across the Solomon Islands. He expressed hope that these partnerships will continue as the country works to build a stronger and more effective education system.
Visual credit @ NPSI Media
教育改革面临关键挑战:库米 | 教育部长斯蒂芬·库米(Hon. Stephen Kumi)表示,所罗门群岛在教育方面取得了良好进展,但仍需解决重要挑战。在国会回应王座演讲时,库米部长强调了包括维持免费教育、建设更多教室、提供学习材料、提高教师质量、加强教育管理、扩展数字服务以及改善偏远学校的可及性等问题。他表示,教育改革将需要国家政府、国会、省级政府、教会、学校、社区和发展伙伴之间的强有力合作。库米部长感谢捐助伙伴和教育利益相关者的持续支持,称他们的贡献帮助改善了学校,增加了教育的可及性,并为所罗门群岛的学生创造了更好的机会。他希望这些伙伴关系能够继续,因为国家致力于建立一个更强大和更有效的教育系统。
视觉来源 @ NPSI Media
