SIAAA Career Connect Program Successfully Connects Alumni and Organisations
The Solomon Islands Australia Alumni Association (SIAAA) has successfully hosted its Career Connect Program, bringing together alumni, organisation representatives and professionals for a morning of networking, engagement and knowledge sharing.
Held on 11 August 2026 at the Mendana Hotel, the half-day program provided an opportunity for participants to connect with organisations, exchange ideas and explore professional and career opportunities.
The program opened with welcome remarks from the SIAAA President, who highlighted the importance of strengthening connections between alumni and organisations and outlined the association’s strategic priorities.
The main session featured an open-floor interaction, allowing participants to freely engage with representatives from participating organisations. The networking session continued over morning tea, creating further opportunities for participants to establish professional contacts and share experiences.
The successful event concluded with acknowledgements from the SIAAA Vice President, followed by a group photograph and informal networking.
SIAAA described the Career Connect Program as a successful initiative that strengthened professional networks and created a platform for alumni and organisations to build meaningful connections.
The association thanked all participating organisations, alumni and participants for contributing to the success of the event.
ENDS/////////
BY RODRICK DESURI
Auki
The Member of Parliament for West Kwaio Constituency, Claudius Tei’ifi, has commended the GREAT Government for reintroducing its free education policy, describing it as a flagship initiative that will help ease financial burden on families and constituency offices.
The policy is expected to be implemented from 2027.
Mr Tei’ifi made the statement during his response to the Speech from the Throne in parliament last week.
He said the policy will significantly reduce the pressure placed on his constituency office, which spends millions of dollars each year to support students with tuition fees.
“I really appreciate and commend the GREAT Government for reintroducing this free education policy as a flagship initiative, which will be implemented from 2027,” he said.
Tei’ifi said his constituency office spends millions of dollars annually on tuition assistance for students, particularly those attending tertiary institutions and rural training centres.
“This is only for tertiary education and rural training centres, and does not include students attending secondary and primary schools,” he said.
He said the Government’s free education policy will therefore help ease the financial burden currently faced by the constituency office and allow limited constituency funds to be directed towards other development priorities.
“Why I commend the GREAT Government for implementing free education from 2027 is because it will help ease the burden that my constituency office faces almost every year,” Tei’ifi said.
However, he stressed that while the policy will benefit students, families and communities across the country, its implementation must be carefully coordinated and aligned with existing education legislation, policies and preparatory frameworks.
He said proper planning will be important to ensure the policy is financially sustainable and effectively implemented nationwide.
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Provincial leaders pledge support as nutrition project moves from planning into implementation
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
The Isabel Provincial Government has pledged its full backing for a major school meals programme that aims to improve student nutrition, strengthen local agriculture and upgrade school facilities as the initiative enters its implementation phase.
The commitment was made during an implementation planning and monitoring mission held in Buala on July 22, bringing together officials from the Isabel Provincial Government, national ministries and UNICEF to map out the next phase of the Nutrition Improvement through School Meals Project.
According to information provided to Island Sun by UNICEF Solomon Islands Communications Officer Jared Koli, the programme is funded by the Government of Japan and is being delivered through UNICEF in partnership with the Solomon Islands Government, covering nine boarding schools in Isabel and Western provinces.
Welcoming the visiting delegation, Isabel Provincial Secretary John Mark Lokumana described the project as an important opportunity for the province and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensure its success.
“Isabel is fortunate to have three of our secondary boarding schools selected under this project. As we move from planning into implementation, it will take the education, health and agriculture sectors working together to make this a success, and our provincial government stands ready to support that work,” Lokumana said.
Provincial Minister for Education, Augustine Hebala also welcomed the initiative, saying the province looks forward to seeing practical improvements delivered to participating schools.
“We are pleased this project is being implemented in our province, and we encourage the team to proceed with the work ahead. Our schools need visible improvements, particularly to water and sanitation facilities, and we want to see this support translated into real change for our students,” Hebala said.
During the meeting, officials outlined progress already made under the project, including plans to strengthen school farms, improve links with local farming communities, upgrade kitchens and food storage facilities, and enhance water, sanitation and hygiene services.
The project also aims to provide training for teachers, school cooks and other staff in nutrition, food safety and hygiene while supporting the development of learning materials that integrate agriculture, health and nutrition into classroom teaching.
Provincial Minister for Finance, Josiah Laumana stressed that long-term sustainability should remain a key focus, noting that development projects should continue to benefit schools even after external funding comes to an end.
He encourages stakeholders to establish clear management arrangements for school farms and ensure agriculture, nutrition and hygiene activities become part of everyday school life rather than temporary project activities.
Discussions also explored how students could participate in practical farming as part of their education without affecting classroom learning, while education officials explained that nutrition, agriculture and hygiene are already incorporated into several areas of the national curriculum and could be further strengthened through teacher training and improved teaching resources.
Officials further discussed the development of a national school meals strategy, which is expected to guide future expansion of the programme to other schools and provinces across Solomon Islands.
The Nutrition Improvement through School Meals Project is a US$3.4 million (approximately SBD$28.7 million) initiative funded by the Government of Japan.
It is being implemented through UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministries of Education and Human Resources Development, Health and Medical Services, Agriculture and Livestock, together with the Isabel and Western Provincial Governments.
The project supports three boarding schools in Isabel Province and six in Western Province as part of efforts to improve children’s nutrition, promote locally grown food and strengthen healthier learning environments.
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MEHRD rolls out new pay structure for TVET trainers
The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) has begun implementing a new pay structure and classification framework for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) trainers and institution leaders.
The TVET Pay Structure and Classification Policy was approved by the Minister for Education and Human Resource Development on 30 June 2026 and was implemented in the teachers’ payroll processed on Thursday, 6 August 2026.
The new framework addresses a long-standing classification gap that previously prevented TVET personnel from being included in the Ministry-wide salary classification exercise.
It provides an approved basis for classifying Trainers, Senior Trainers, Programme Managers and Institution Managers according to their roles and verified qualifications.
“This is an important step in recognising the specialised work of our TVET workforce,” Permanent Secretary Supervising, Linda Wate, said.
“The new structure provides a clearer and more consistent basis for classifying trainers, while ensuring that salary placement is supported by verified qualifications,” she said.
Under the approved framework, TVET trainers must hold both a relevant technical qualification and a TVET training and assessment qualification.
Placement on the new pay structure is determined by the position held and qualifications verified by the Teaching Service Division.
84 trainers fully transitioned
MEHRD currently has 334 active TVET trainers recorded on the teachers’ payroll.
Of this number, 84 trainers have met both qualification requirements and have been fully transitioned to the new pay structure.
A further 83 trainers who currently meet one of the two qualification requirements have been placed on a bridging salary scale while they work towards obtaining the outstanding qualification.
The remaining 167 trainers have not yet transitioned because their required qualifications have not been verified in MEHRD’s current records.
These trainers will remain on the Unified Teaching Service Pay Structure until their qualifications are verified and assessed.
MEHRD stressed that remaining on the existing structure does not mean the affected trainers have been rejected from the new framework.
The Teaching Service Division will continue working with education providers and TVET institutions to verify outstanding qualifications, assess trainers against the approved framework and facilitate their transition to the appropriate classification and salary scale once requirements are met.
MEHRD is also calling on education providers and TVET institution leaders to bring Circular No. 8/2026 to the attention of affected trainers and instructors.
They have been asked to check their qualification records and assist trainers to submit clear copies of relevant qualifications to the Teaching Service Division for verification.
Education providers must also ensure that newly recruited TVET trainers and instructors meet the relevant qualification and registration requirements before they are appointed and placed on the teachers’ payroll.
The Ministry said the new framework is intended to provide greater clarity and consistency in the classification of TVET personnel while recognising the specialised qualifications and skills required within the sector.
BY NED GAGAHE
THE number of political appointees within the Government has increased to 54 positions, with 21 new positions created under the current administration.
The figure was confirmed by Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Melchoir Mataki during the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) inquiry into the 2026 Supplementary Bill for the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC).
PAC Chairman Dr Paul Bosawai questioned the increase in political appointments, saying the additional positions had contributed significantly to the increase in OPMC’s supplementary expenditure.
Dr Bosawai asked OPMC to explain the new positions compared with those under the previous government and to state how many additional political appointees had been created.
In response, Dr Mataki confirmed that 21 new additional positions had been created for the political office.
“The total number of political appointees as it stands now is at 54, 54 positions altogether,” Dr Mataki told the Committee.
The increase forms part of OPMC’s proposed additional recurrent expenditure of about $15.7 million under the 2026 Supplementary Bill.
According to Dr Mataki, the recurrent allocation includes funding for the 21 new political-office positions, two new special-duty positions for the Ministries of Fisheries and Education, and four upgraded positions, including that of the new Permanent Secretary of the Minister of Finance.
The supplementary bill provides OPMC with a total additional allocation of $30.95 million, comprising an advance warrant of $15.28 million and approximately $15.7 million in additional recurrent expenditure.
The PAC is scrutinising the supplementary expenditure as part of its inquiry before Parliament considers the 2026 Supplementary Bill.
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PAC questions $3.3 million funding for Honiara Senior High School, including project costs, budgeting and further funding needs The Public Accounts Committee has questioned the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development over a $3.3 million allocation to complete the rehabilitation of Honiara Senior High School. The issue was raised during the committee’s examination of [...]
The post PAC QUESTIONS $3.3 MILLION NEEDED FOR HONIARA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL appeared first on Tavuli News (Solomon Islands) .
MEHRD ANNOUNCES 2026 NATIONAL EXAMINATION DATES AND TIMES
HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS - The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) advises schools, education providers, candidates, parents and guardians that the official dates and times for the 2026 national examinations and the Solomon Islands Standardised Tests of Achievement (SISTA) have been confirmed.
The schedules cover SISTA for selected primary schools, the Solomon Islands Junior Secondary Certifica...
MEHRD pononces 2026 national examination dates and times
霍尼亚拉,所罗门群岛 - 教育和人力资源发展部(MEHRD)通知学校、教育提供者、考生、家长和监护人,2026年全国考试及所罗门群岛成就标准化测试(SISTA)的官方日期和时间已确认。
时间表涵盖了选定小学的SISTA、所罗门群岛初中证书...
South Choiseul MP Tozen Leokana warns Free Education could drive urban migration unless provincial schools are strengthened first Honiara, Solomon Islands – South Choiseul MP Hon. Tozen Leokana has warned that the Government’s proposed Free Education Policy could unintentionally accelerate the movement of families from rural communities to Honiara and other urban centres if provincial [...]
The post FREE EDUCATION MUST NOT EMPTY OUR PROVINCES, SAYS SOUTH CHOISEUL MP appeared first on Tavuli News (Solomon Islands) .
BY NED GAGAHE
THE Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) is seeking nearly $31 million in supplementary funding, including more than $15 million to settle outstanding costs from the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting held last year.
Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) inquiry this morning into the 2026 Supplementary Bill, Special Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Melchoir Mataki said the proposed allocation totals $30,948,969.97.
The supplementary funding consists of an advance warrant of $15,282,273.97 and additional recurrent expenditure of about $15.7 million.
Dr Mataki said the advance warrant is mainly intended to settle outstanding payments and contractual obligations arising from Solomon Islands’ hosting of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting last year.
He said about $3 million came from Indonesia, while approximately $12.3 million was provided by the Australian Government.
“The advance warrant is basically to meet outstanding payments of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting that was held last year,” Dr Mataki told the Committee.
The recurrent component includes funding for 21 new positions in the political office, two new special duty positions for the Ministries of Fisheries and Education, and four upgraded positions, including the position of the new Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Finance.
Other proposed expenditure includes medical assessments, telephone and fax accounts, funding related to the tribunal established to look into the case involving the Commissioner of Police, and maintenance of the OPMC building.
The supplementary budget also includes an additional $2.5 million allocation for the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) and about $1.8 million for maintenance of the OPMC building.
PAC Chairman Dr Paul Bosawai questioned the increase in the number of political appointments, noting the significant impact on the supplementary budget.
In response, Dr Mataki confirmed that the Government had created 21 additional political office positions, bringing the total number of political appointee positions to 54.
Dr Bosawai also sought clarification on a $1.3 million medical assessment allocation, questioning whether the funds were intended for Prime Minister’s Office officials or Members of Parliament.
Dr Mataki said the allocation was a standing budget head under OPMC and was intended for Members of Parliament.
The Committee is continuing its examination of the 2026 Supplementary Bill and budget allocations presented by government ministries and agencies.
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BY TONY IROGA
THE Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) faced detailed scrutiny from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over its $76.89 million supplementary budget request for 2026.
MEHRD appeared before the PAC in Parliament yesterday to explain the additional funding sought under the 2026 Supplementary Appropriation Bill, including a $3.3 million advance warrant.
PAC Chairman Paul Bosawai welcomed the ministry’s delegation and commended MEHRD for providing a detailed explanatory note on its supplementary budget.
“Thank you, Acting Secretary. I really commend the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development for this explanatory note,” Bosawai said.
“It would be really nice if you could present this to us before this sitting. I would encourage every other ministry to come with such a document or send us before the proceeding or before the hearing. It would be really, really easy for us to read and understand the numbers with the policy.”
The MEHRD delegation was led by Deputy Secretary for Teaching and Learning, Linda Wate, who is currently the acting Permanent Secretary.
Wate told the committee that the ministry’s supplementary request was driven by several major pressures, including increasing student enrolment, growth in schools and early childhood education centres, increased demand for scholarships, disaster-related costs and the implementation of government reforms.
“The ministry is not seeking this supplementary funding to expand activities, but to respond to pressures and requirements that have emerged from this new policy that we are implementing at the moment,” Wate said.
She said the additional funding is also required to respond to new obligations and the effects of disasters, including Tropical Cyclone Maila, as well as teacher annual leave passages and continuing school operations.
According to Wate, the ministry’s 2026 budget was initially heavily focused on the 7 percent salary back-pay and new salary structure adjustments, including the introduction of the new TVET salary pay structure and classification.
That component amounted to $129.3 million, she said.
The ministry is now seeking about $76.89 million to address other financial pressures and ongoing commitments.
Free education questioned
A major part of yesterday’s PAC discussion focused on the Government’s free education policy, with members questioning whether the funding allocated for its preparation will be sufficient.
Bosawai questioned whether about $1 million allocated for preparatory work will be enough to prepare the country for the implementation of the policy.
Wate said the free education policy is not a completely new concept for MEHRD, as increasing access and inclusion in education had already been part of the country’s long-term education planning.
She said the Government’s free education policy provides an opportunity to increase support to communities and children across Solomon Islands.
“There has been some work that has been done previously that could add to some of the work that needs to be done,” Wate said.
However, she acknowledged that there is still considerable work to be done, particularly in ensuring that children in remote and rural communities have equal access to education.
She stressed that free education is a 20-year policy, hence, implementation will have to be carefully planned over time.
Bosawai said the committee supports the policy but questions whether the current budget is realistic enough to achieve it.
“For some of us, we’re really supportive of the policy,” he said.
Bosawai also encouraged them to keep pushing for their budget to achieve the free education policy.
He encouraged MEHRD to use international and UNESCO-related formulas to determine the country’s capacity to finance free education.
“I think you need to go and look up the formula best for our economy,” he said.
Bosawai also raised the need to ensure the policy has a clear legal basis under the Education Act 2023, suggesting that amendments may be required if necessary.
Teacher distribution, curriculum concerns
Wate told the committee that MEHRD’s preparations for free education includes work on equity, inclusion, quality learning, teacher workforce planning and the distribution of teachers.
She said one of the key tasks is defining exactly what the Government will cover under free education.
“One of the key things as part of this policy is having a very clear definition of what non-free education can mean, opposed to fee-free education or universal education or compulsory education,” Wate said.
She said the ministry is also looking at teacher quality and distribution, noting that many teachers are concentrated in urban centres while remote communities continued to experience shortages.
MEHRD Deputy Secretary for Corporate Services Coldrine Colae said improving the ministry’s data management system is also important for planning and budgeting.
He said the ministry needs accurate and up-to-date information from schools to support decision-making.
Wate also told the committee that MEHRD was reviewing the senior secondary curriculum.
She said by 2027, there will be new scopes for what senior secondary students should learn, with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The number of senior secondary subjects is expected to increase from the current 13 to about 21 subjects, she said.
Honiara High rehabilitation questioned
PAC member Manasseh Sogavare questioned MEHRD over the $3.3 million allocated for the rehabilitation and completion of Honiara High School.
Sogavare questioned why the full cost of completing the project had not been captured in the original 2026 budget estimates.
He also asked whether the $3.3 million represented the final payment for the project or whether the committee should expect another supplementary request later this year.
Another issue raised was why the amount was classified as a recurrent advance warrant, despite being related to a capital construction project.
Colae explained that the expenditure was linked to disaster response and the rehabilitation of Honiara High and parliament leaf hut following the 2021 riots.
He said variations and contract management issues had resulted in additional costs, including geotechnical work, internal works, tiling and furniture that had not been properly captured in the original arrangements.
“There was a misunderstanding between the partner and also SIG,” Colae said.
He said the rehabilitation work is now nearing completion and that handover is expected by the end of this month or early next month.
Colae also assured the committee that the expenditure will not appear again in next year’s budget.
$1.4 billion education budget
The committee also questioned how much of the Government’s approximately $1.4 billion education allocation could be regarded as funding the free component of education.
Bosawai said moving to a fully free education system will require substantially more resources.
MEHRD explained that the largest portion of its budget currently goes towards payroll, covering about 11,000 teachers throughout the country.
School grants account for around 3 percent of the ministry’s budget, while other operational charges account for about 1.2 percent, according to Colae.
MEHRD also acknowledged the important role of donor partners in supporting curriculum development, infrastructure and other education reforms.
Bosawai said the discussion highlights the need for increased investment in education.
“It’s really a realisation that we need more money to really educate our people,” he said.
“As I said earlier on, education builds the mind, sends the mind to build this country. So, I think we need to look more into availing more money for education, then slowly achieving free education.”
The PAC continued its scrutiny of the ministry’s supplementary estimates, with members stressing the need for clear financial planning, realistic costing and accountability as the Government moves towards its free education policy.
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Opposition MP Tozen Leokana supports free education but urges fiscal, infrastructure and teacher planning for sustainability Honiara, Solomon Islands – South Choiseul MP Hon. Tozen Leokana says the Opposition supports the aspiration of universal access to education but the Government must put in place the machinery needed to make its proposed Free Education Policy sustainable. [...]
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📰 THE ISLAND SUN FRONT PAGE
ISSUE 5672 | MONDAY 10 AUGUST 2026
‘WE’LL DELIVER’
Prime Minister Matthew Wale remains adamant that the GREAT Government will deliver its ambitious free education plan, saying the Government is committed to ensuring no child is denied an education because of poverty.
Speaking in Parliament, PM Wale reiterated his Government’s optimism and determination to deliver the policy, while defending the principle behind free education.
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Ou'oumatawa Community in Small Malaita Constituency
takes delivery of new CDF-funded truck
The people of Ou'oumatawa Community in Small Malaita Constituency (SMC) have boosted their emergency response and transport capabilities with the arrival of a new 2-ton tipper truck on 27 July 2026.
Member of Parliament [MP] for SMC, Honourable Rick Hou, officiated the handover, marking a major milestone in the constituency's transport infrastructure and service delivery.
Funded by the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) at a cost of $190,000 under the SMC 2025 budget, the truck is expected to improve access for the movement of people, emergency health cases, agricultural produce, building materials, and essential supplies. It will also support community development activities and improve access to schools, healthcare, and markets.
Speaking at the ceremony, Hou reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring CDF resources improve the lives of people throughout SMC, saying the truck reflects his dedication to practical projects that promote economic opportunities and community wellbeing.
Lesly Hekoiu, Chairman of the Ou'oumatawa Transport Committee, expressed gratitude on behalf of the community, noting it was the first time since the village's establishment that they had received such a valuable gift from the government.
He credited Hou's leadership and support for making the vehicle possible, and thanked him for listening to the community's needs and delivering a project that will benefit current and future generations.
The community pledged to properly manage and maintain the vehicle to ensure it serves them for years to come.
The truck reflects SMC's ongoing commitment under Hou's leadership to improving socio-economic wellbeing through practical projects and an enabling environment for economic opportunity, particularly through continued road infrastructure development in the constituency.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), John Misite'e, congratulated SMC on the achievement, emphasising the importance of empowering communities through practical projects and an environment conducive to economic growth, particularly through road and transport infrastructure.
He said this aligns with the ministry's vision "to empower Solomon Islanders toward self-sufficiency, improved livelihoods, and sustainable development," and that providing an enabling environment for economic opportunities, especially through road infrastructure and transport, remains a priority.
PS Misite'e said that the ministry looks forward to continuing to work closely with SMC and supporting other constituencies to deliver meaningful projects that improve rural livelihoods.
CDF is the financing component of the Solomon Islands Government's Constituency Development Program, administered by MRD and implemented across 50 constituencies to improve livelihoods.
- MRD
BY IRWIN ANGIKI
Prime Minister Matthew Wale has defended his government’s ambitious free education plan as one which aims to ensure no child is denied education because of poverty.
Mr Wale also reiterated his government’s optimism and will to deliver the policy.
Speaking on Friday, August 7, to wind up the three-day debate on the speech from the throne, Wale welcomed Opposition’s support of the principle behind free education.
“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,” Wale said.
Opposition leader Manasseh Sogavare had told parliament in his speech on August 5 that government has not answered questions opposition had thrown it since May 25.
“But Mr Speaker, principle is not policy. And support for the objective is not, and cannot be, a blank cheque on the design. The Opposition has, since the 25th of May, respectfully placed before the country a series of practical questions on this policy which the Government has, to this day, declined to answer,” Sogavare said.
“The Speech from the Throne now attaches the Government’s name to Fee Free Education in 2027, but does not answer a single one of those questions.”
Mr Sogavare questioned the free-education policy on five-fronts, to which Wale answered accordingly.
On the question of definition
Wale assured parliament the House would not vote on a slogan. He said work on the policy’s design including the precise meaning of “free”, which providers it covers, and how it connects with the Education Act 2023 and Education Regulation 2024 is being finalised by the ministry of education (MEHRD).
“That design, together with the implementing legislation and its full costing, will come before this House in the budget session at the end of this year. This House will not be asked to vote on a slogan, Mr Speaker. 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.”
On the question of cost
PM Wale agreed that the cost of free education will be unprecedently large and will affect the budget. But he assured that other essential sectors such as health, infrastructure, rural development, law and order will not be neglected in light of the budget changes.
“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.
“The Ministry of Finance and Treasury continues to work through it as part of the medium-term fiscal framework I have described.”
On the question of quality
Wale rejected Opposition’s argument that free education would replace quality education.
“Access to education and access to quality education are both achievable, and neither will be traded for the other,” Wale said.
He said the training of 300 school principals which Opposition leader Sogavare had mentioned in his speech was the beginning of the rolling out of the free-education’s delivery programme
“The training of some three hundred school principals, which the Honourable Leader was gracious enough to welcome, is not a substitute for classrooms, teachers, dormitories and learning materials; it is the first instalment of a delivery programme in which those investments have their place.”
On the question of donor support
Opposition leader Sogavare had cautioned that external donor support for free education would threaten Solomon Islands’ sovereignty.
Wale brushed this aside telling parliament that for many decades education has been supported by Solomon Islands’ partners but there has never been any compromise to Solomons’ sovereignty.
“Our development partners are today, and have been under every Government represented in this House, among the biggest supporters of education in Solomon Islands. That support did not compromise our sovereignty yesterday, and it does not compromise it today,” Wale said.
Wale however agreed with Opposition’s concern on sustenance saying that eventually Solomon Islands would have to fund the free education itself.
He said GREAT is already working setting the foundation for future self-sponsorship.
“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. We do not intend to be dependent for eternity, Mr Speaker. 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.”
On the question of implementation
Wale said the design, legislation and appropriation that would support the free education plan will be brought to parliament.
He said Opposition would have the chance to scrutinise the legislation, inviting them to bring their ‘practical Solomon Islands model’ then.
Sogavare in his speech had questioned the readiness of government to deliver free education.
“What is the assurance to those principals, and to their communities, that their schools will not open in January 2027 with more children, no fees, and no compensating transfer from Treasury?
“What is the assurance to the school authorities such as the churches, the community education authorities, whose books this Government has not yet, on the public record, opened? What is the plan for the fee income those schools currently rely upon and which the State must now replace?” Sogavare asked.
BY IRWIN ANGIKI
Prime Minister Matthew Wale has promised to bring the full costing of GREAT’s ambitious free education policy to parliament in December.
The costing of the free-education plan has been one of Opposition’s mainstay in its scrutiny of GREAT government’s policies.
Led by Leader Manasseh Sogavare, Opposition criticised the Speech from the Throne saying it did not outline how much free-education was going to cost and how government was going to get funds for it.
“Independent analysis places the recurrent cost of a broad fee-free policy at in the order of SBD $1.3 billion dollars a year, against a total national budget in the range of four to five billion. That is not a marginal adjustment. That is a very substantial recurrent commitment, and the country is entitled to see the numbers,” Opposition leader Mr Sogavare asked in his August 5 speech responding to the Speech from the Throne.
“Where is the full costing? Where is the year-by-year projection through the medium term fiscal framework? Where is the analysis of what other sectors such as hospitals, roads, rural development, jobs, law and order will be affected by the reallocation this policy will require?”
Closing the three-day debate on Friday, August 7, PM Wale said Opposition should not confuse a Speech from the Throne with an Appropriation Bill.
He said the speech from the throne contains government’s plans and the appropriation bill outlines the details behind these plans such as costing.
“A Speech from the Throne is not an Appropriation Bill. It is the statement of the Government’s programme, including its legislative agenda. It sets direction. The numbers follow in the instrument our Constitution and our Public Financial Management framework prescribe for numbers, and that instrument is the Budget,” Wale said.
He added that work is underway to have the 2027 appropriation bill come before parliament in December.
“The work of attaching a medium term fiscal framework to the policies of this Government is under way now, in the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination, in preparation for the 2027 Appropriation Bill which will come before this House at the end of this year. That is where the fiscal envelope will be laid before this House, line by line, as it should be, and this House will test every commitment of the Speech against it.”
Wale reminded parliament that past speeches from the throne even under the prime ministership of Opposition leader Sogavare and opposition MP Jeremiah Manele had not included details such as costing.
“In the Speeches from the Throne delivered under the Honourable Leader’s own prime ministership, and in the Speeches delivered under the last two Governments in which he served, not one annexed a costed medium term fiscal framework to the programme it announced. Not one. And that was not a failure of those Governments; it was the correct understanding of what a Speech from the Throne is. It would not be honest of me to pretend that a standard which no Government of Solomon Islands has ever applied to itself has suddenly become the measure of fiscal credibility. The measure of fiscal credibility is the Budget, and this Government will meet that measure in this Chamber, before this year is out,” Wale said.
BY TONY IROGA
THE Government has begun laying the groundwork for the introduction of Free Education in Solomon Islands in 2027.
Minister for Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) Mr. Stephen Kumi told Parliament that preparations are already underway to ensure the policy is properly planned, financed and implemented.
Responding to the Speech from the Throne, Minister Kumi said education remains one of the Government’s top priorities, with about SBD1.4 billion allocated to the sector in the 2026 National Budget.
“The Government is determined to build an education system that is inclusive, equitable, relevant and responsive to the aspirations and development needs of Solomon Islands,” he said.
Kumi said a Free Education Taskforce has been established to lead the development of the policy, including financing, governance, legislation and consultations.
“We have already commenced the detailed preparatory work necessary to ensure these reforms are delivered in a responsible, sustainable and well-coordinated manner,” he said.
He said specialist consultants, with support from development partners, are assisting the Government with policy development and funding arrangements to ensure the Free Education programme is financially sustainable.
Minister Kumi also highlighted ongoing curriculum reforms, saying revised primary and junior secondary curricula are nearing completion, while reviews of senior secondary and early childhood education are also underway.
“By 2027, Solomon Islands will have a coherent curriculum framework from Early Childhood Education through to Year 12,” he said.
The Minister also announced plans to establish a separate Ministry of Higher Education, Skills Development, Research and Innovation.
The new ministry would oversee universities, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), scholarships, research and workforce planning, while MEHRD would continue to manage early childhood, primary and secondary education.
Kumi said the Government has also launched the National TVET Policy and is progressing key education legislation, including laws covering higher education, digital transformation and the proposed Solomon Islands University of Technology.
However, he acknowledged that the education sector continues to face major challenges, including funding constraints, teacher shortages, inadequate classrooms, limited digital connectivity and difficulties in providing access to rural schools.
“These challenges require strong partnerships between Government, Parliament, provincial governments, churches, school communities and our valued development partners,” Kumi said.
He said the Government would continue working with its partners to strengthen the education system and ensure the planned reforms are delivered effectively.
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BY TONY IROGA
OPPOSITION MP for South Choiseul, Mr. Tozen Leokana, has questioned whether the Government has the financial resources, infrastructure and teacher workforce needed to successfully implement its proposed nationwide free education policy from 2027.
Leokana, a former Minister of Education and Human Resources Development, raised the concerns on Friday while delivering his reply to the Speech from the Throne in Parliament.
He said the Opposition supports the principle that every Solomon Islands child should have access to education, regardless of their parents’ financial circumstances.
“No child in Solomon Islands should be turned away from a classroom because of the poverty of their parents,” Leokana said.
However, he warned that removing school fees without first strengthening the education system could create serious problems for schools, teachers and students.
Leokana said his experience as a former education minister had given him a close understanding of the challenges facing the country’s education system.
“I signed papers that go through to Treasury. I received the school census data. I read school-by-school teacher establishment returns,” he said.
He said he had also visited schools in provinces across the country, from Choiseul to Temotu, and had seen first-hand the differences in infrastructure, staffing and resources between Honiara and rural communities.
Leokana said the Government’s free education policy must be carefully planned to prevent further movement of families and students from rural areas into Honiara.
He warned that if parents believed free education would be better or more reliable in the capital than in the provinces, the policy could accelerate existing urban migration.
“The consequence is the urban drift,” he said.
Leokana said Honiara already had relatively high enrolment outcomes compared with many provincial schools, while rural and remote schools continued to face shortages of classrooms, teachers and other basic facilities.
He argued that the Government should therefore prioritise investment in provincial schools before, or at least ahead of, further expansion in Honiara.
“If free education is not deliberately front-loaded in provincial schools, then a policy meant to equalise opportunity may end up deepening the pull of Honiara and weakening the provinces,” Leokana said.
He also questioned the financial sustainability of the policy.
Leokana said a recurrent commitment on the scale required for free education would compete with other major government priorities, including health, infrastructure and productive sectors.
He called on the Government to provide clear information on the policy’s total cost, revenue assumptions, sensitivity analysis and contingency plans.
“This chamber must satisfy itself that this policy passes the first of the three tests the test of fiscal honesty,” he said.
Infrastructure was another major concern raised by the Opposition MP.
Leokana said thousands of additional children enter the education system every year even without the introduction of free education, placing continued pressure on classrooms and other school facilities.
He questioned whether enough classrooms, teachers’ houses, dormitories, sanitation facilities, water systems and other infrastructure would be available before the policy begins in 2027.
“A free policy without an infrastructure schedule is not an education plan, but a crowded management plan,” Leokana said.
He challenged the Ministers responsible for education and infrastructure to tell Parliament how many new facilities had already been prepared for the proposed rollout.
Leokana also raised concerns about teacher shortages and the capacity of the education system to absorb a potential surge in enrolment.
He said the introduction of a new teacher salary structure was welcome, but argued that better salaries alone would not automatically produce the additional teachers needed.
“New salary structures do not produce new teachers,” he said.
Leokana called for a 10-year teacher supply plan covering the number of teachers required, their deployment by province and education level, and the annual output of teacher-training programmes.
He said the plan should also address teacher absenteeism and the upgrading and professional development of teachers.
“Until this chamber has that plan, it does not have a free education policy. It has an enrolment service without the workforce,” Leokana said.
The former education minister said his biggest concern was ultimately the quality of education.
He warned that increasing access without simultaneously investing in teachers, classrooms, learning materials, sanitation and school management could result in more children entering school without receiving a quality education.
“Every child gain admission, but no child gains an education,” he said.
Leokana pointed to international experiences where the rapid expansion of fee-free education increased enrolment but also placed pressure on teachers and school resources.
He said Solomon Islands should learn from those experiences and avoid expanding access at the expense of educational quality.
“Our education system, on the best day of its best year, is already carrying children who cannot read at grade level, who cannot count at grade level, and who leave school before completing the lower secondary cycle,” he said.
Leokana said adding more students to an already stretched system without providing additional capacity would only worsen existing challenges.
“If a child sits in a classroom of 40 or 50, taught by an untrained teacher, without a textbook, without functioning water or toilet facilities, that child is not receiving a free education,” he said.
“That child is receiving a diminished education and calling it free.”
He said the Opposition would support the aspiration of universal access to education but would hold the Government accountable for ensuring the policy was properly funded and implemented.
“The aspiration of universal education must be matched dollar to dollar, classroom to classroom, teacher for teacher, with the capacity of the system to deliver it,” Leokana said.
He said the Government must demonstrate fiscal honesty, constitutional integrity and responsible management of Solomon Islands’ foreign relations as it proceeds with its major policy commitments.
Leokana concluded by stressing that free education should not simply mean removing fees, but ensuring that children throughout Solomon Islands receive meaningful and quality education.
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BY NED GAGAHE
The Government is set to introduce five major pieces of legislation aimed at reforming land governance, resolving land disputes, improving housing and strengthening coastal and marine management in Solomon Islands.
The proposed reforms were outlined by the Minister for Lands, Housing and Survey Oliver Salopuka in Parliament while responding to the Speech from the Throne.
The five Bills are the Customary Land Governance Bill, Land Dispute Resolution Bill, National Housing Bill, Land Information System Bill, and Coastal and Marine Governance Bill.
The Minister said the proposed legislation would form one of the most comprehensive reform programmes undertaken in the lands sector, with the aim of establishing a land governance system that is transparent, fair, modern and inclusive.
He said the reforms were necessary because land remains central to economic development, infrastructure, agriculture, investment and social stability.
“Land is not simply a resource. It is our identity. It is our history. It is our culture. It is our inheritance,” the Minister said.
He said weak governance, fragmented administration, unresolved disputes and outdated legislation had prevented Solomon Islands from fully unlocking the potential of its land while protecting the rights of customary landowners.
CUSTOMARY LAND
The proposed Customary Land Governance Bill will focus on strengthening the recognition and protection of customary ownership while providing greater legal certainty for landowners.
Around 85 percent of land in Solomon Islands remains under customary ownership, making effective customary land governance a major issue for national development.
The Minister said the Bill would strengthen governance arrangements within customary landholding groups and establish mechanisms to ensure communities receive equitable and transparent benefits from development on their land.
It would also encourage the establishment of Community Trust Funds, allowing revenues generated from customary land to support education, healthcare, infrastructure and future generations.
The Minister stressed that the reform was intended to empower customary landowners rather than replace them.
“It is about ensuring that development happens with them, not around them,” he said.
LAND DISPUTES
The Government also plans to overhaul the way land disputes are resolved.
The Minister said unresolved land disputes continued to undermine social cohesion, delay investment and divide communities.
The proposed Land Dispute Resolution Bill, developed with the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs and the Attorney-General’s Chambers, would seek to establish a more accessible, culturally appropriate and efficient system for resolving disputes.
The reform would strengthen community-based dispute resolution and recognise the role of chiefs, traditional leaders, churches and local institutions.
The Government’s objective, the Minister said, was to transform land from a source of conflict into a foundation for reconciliation, stability and national unity.
LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT
The Minister said protecting customary ownership should not prevent economic development.
He said secure land rights would create greater confidence for investment while ensuring customary landowners remained active participants in economic progress.
The Government intends to support development in agriculture, tourism, fisheries, mining, manufacturing and downstream processing.
The speech also identified projects and activities including the Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Project, cocoa and coconut plantations, eco-tourism, renewable energy projects and conservation areas for carbon markets.
The Minister said customary landowners must receive fair recognition, meaningful participation and equitable returns from such developments.
“The era of unequal partnerships must end,” he said.
DIGITAL LAND RECORDS
Another major reform will involve modernising land administration.
The proposed Land Information System Bill would establish a secure, integrated and fully digital land information system to replace paper-based records, fragmented databases and manual processes.
The Minister said digitising land records would improve transparency, reduce opportunities for fraud and provide more accurate information to landowners, investors, financial institutions and Government agencies.
He said modern technology would also support faster surveys, more reliable records and improved national planning.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The Government is also proposing a National Housing Bill to provide a comprehensive framework for housing development.
The Minister said rapid urbanisation had placed growing pressure on Honiara and other urban centres, with many families living in informal settlements without secure tenure or adequate access to water, sanitation, roads and other essential services.
The proposed legislation would improve coordination across Government, encourage affordable housing investment and strengthen national housing policy.
The Ministry will also work with Guadalcanal Province, Honiara City Council and development partners to improve land administration and extend essential services to informal settlements.
The Minister said these communities were home to thousands of Solomon Islanders and their dignity and wellbeing deserved equal protection.
COASTAL PROTECTION
The fifth proposed Bill will focus on coastal and marine governance.
The Minister said climate change, rising sea levels, coastal erosion and environmental degradation were increasing threats to communities and national development.
The Coastal and Marine Governance Bill would strengthen the legal framework for coastal management while recognising and protecting customary sea rights.
It would also support sustainable coastal planning, greater community participation in environmental management and improved resilience to climate-related hazards.
The Minister said the legislative programme was ambitious because the challenges facing Solomon Islands were significant.
He called on Government, Opposition and Independent MPs to support the reforms in the national interest.
“Let us rise above politics,” he said, urging Parliament to unite behind legislation aimed at strengthening customary ownership, promoting peace, expanding economic opportunities, improving housing and protecting the environment.
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
TABAKA Technical Institute (TTI) in Western Province has secured a major partnership with Solomon Islands National University (SINU), opening new opportunities for its staffs and students to pursue higher-level technical qualifications.
The two institutions signed a five-year Excellence through Skills Innovation Partnership last week, marking what TTI describes as a significant milestone in strengthening technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Solomon Islands.
TTI Principal Joash Lawrance said the partnership was a dream come true for the institution and its students.
“It’s a milestone in itself, and TTI acknowledges SINU for the support,” Lawrance said.
He said the five-year partnership would strengthen TTI’s capacity to deliver quality technical and vocational education while creating clearer pathways for students to advance their studies.
“Under the partnership, the two institutions will work together on institutional capacity building, staff development, programme and curriculum development, quality assurance, skills training and pathways to higher-level technical qualifications,” Lawrance said.
He said the agreement would give TTI students greater opportunities to continue their education beyond the institution and pursue further qualifications through SINU.
Lawrance said strengthening links between technical training institutions and the national university is important to ensure students can build on the skills and qualifications they had already gained.
SINU Vice-Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau welcomed the partnership, stressing that its success would depend on how effectively the agreement was implemented.
Professor Aqorau said the partnership should not remain simply an agreement on paper, but must be supported by clear implementation plans and measurable outcomes.
The partnership is expected to strengthen collaboration between TTI and SINU and contribute to the development of a more effective TVET pathway for students in Western Province and beyond.
For TTI, the agreement represents an important step towards expanding its educational opportunities and strengthening the quality and relevance of technical training available to Solomon Islands students.
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New Higher Education Ministry
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Honiara
The Solomon Islands education sector is set for a major structural reform with a planned establishment of a new Ministry of Higher Education, Skills Development, Research and Innovation.
Responding to the Speech from the Throne in Parliament on Friday, Minister for Education and Human Resources Development Hon. Stephen Kumi said the reform recognises that school education and higher education have become distinct sectors requiring separate leadership and policy direction.
Mr. Kumi said the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development will continue overseeing Early Childhood Education, primary and secondary education, with a focus on literacy, numeracy, curriculum delivery, teacher quality and school governance.
The proposed Higher Education Ministry will instead oversee universities, colleges, scholarships, technical and vocational education, research, innovation and workforce planning.
"Together, these two Ministries will create a stronger and more responsive education system that better meets the needs of our growing population and our future economy," he said.
The Minister also outlined broader education reforms currently underway, including the redevelopment of the Senior Secondary Curriculum and review of the Early Childhood Education Curriculum.
He said by 2027 Solomon Islands is expected to have a coherent curriculum framework covering education from early childhood through to Year 12.
Mr. Kumi said the Ministry has also launched a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) pilot programme with technical support from UNESCO to better prepare students for future employment opportunities.
In support of the reforms, the Government is progressing several key pieces of legislation, including bills on digital transformation in education, higher education and skills development, tertiary education governance, the proposed Solomon Islands University of Technology, and a new National TVET framework.
The Minister said the legislation will provide the legal foundation needed to modernise the education system, improve governance and strengthen quality assurance across the sector.
///Ends///
PM Matthew Wale says Free Education will be fully costed and legislated, with implementation details to reach Parliament Prime Minister.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.’ [...]
The post PM Welcomes Opposition Support on Free Education Principle appeared first on Tavuli News (Solomon Islands) .
BY RODRICK DESURI
Auki
Malaita Province has embarked on what its leaders describe as a new chapter following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Evangelism Alliance (WEA) in South Korea.
The agreement was signed during Premier Elijah Asilau’a’s visit to South Korea after he was invited to attend the 29th Remnant Congress 2026.
The MoU outlines a shared commitment to strengthen education, empower communities, develop young people, and expand cooperation based on trust and unity.
Speaking after the signing, Premier Asilau’a said the agreement marks the beginning of a partnership focused on progress and long-term development for the people of Malaita.
“Today marks the beginning of a journey, a journey of partnership, progress, and purpose.
“On behalf of my Government, I reaffirm our full support for this MoU. We are committed to ensuring this partnership delivers real and lasting impact for our people,” he said.
The Premier described the occasion as more than a formal agreement, saying he believes it reflects God’s plan for the province and will bring positive transformation to his people.
“What we see today is not ordinary; it is spiritual, prophetic, and transforming lives, leaders, and governments,” he said.
He also acknowledged the work of Reverend Kwang Su, expressing confidence that the partnership will continue to influence communities and nations.
Quoting Romans 8:28, Premier Asilau’a said: “All things work together for good to them that love God,” expressing hope that the agreement will open new opportunities for the people of Malaita.
Photo: Supplied
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MEHRD rolls out new pay structure for TVET trainers
New classification framework recognises specialised TVET roles and provides a clear pathway for qualified trainers.
The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) has begun implementing a new pay structure and classification framework for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) trainers and institution leaders.
The TVET Pay Structure and Classification Policy was approved by the Honourable Minister for Education and Human Resource Development on 30 June 2026. It was implemented in the teachers’ payroll processed on Thursday, 6 August 2026.
The new framework addresses an important classification gap that previously prevented TVET personnel from being included in the Ministry-wide salary classification exercise. It provides an approved basis for classifying Trainers, Senior Trainers, Program Managers and Institution Managers according to their roles and verified qualifications.
“This is an important step in recognising the specialised work of our TVET workforce. The new structure provides a clearer and more consistent basis for classifying trainers, while ensuring that salary placement is supported by verified qualifications,” Permanent Secretary Supervising, Mrs Linda Wate, said.
Under the approved framework, TVET trainers must hold both a relevant technical qualification and a TVET training and assessment qualification. Placement on the new pay structure is based on the position held and qualifications verified by the Teaching Service Division.
IMPLEMENTATION AT A GLANCE
84 FULLY TRANSITIONED 83 BRIDGING SCALE 167 PENDING VERIFICATION
Total active TVET trainers currently recorded on payroll: 334
The 84 trainers who have met both qualification requirements have been fully transitioned to the new pay structure. A further 83 trainers who currently meet one of the two requirements have been placed on a bridging salary scale while they work towards the outstanding qualification.
The remaining 167 trainers have not yet transitioned because their required qualifications have not been verified in MEHRD’s current records. They will remain on the Unified Teaching Service Pay Structure until verification and assessment are completed. This does not mean that they have been rejected from the new framework.
MEHRD is asking Education Providers and TVET institution leaders to bring Circular No. 8/2026 to the attention of all affected trainers and instructors, check their qualification records, and assist them to submit clear copies of relevant qualifications to the Teaching Service Division.
Education Providers must also ensure that newly recruited TVET trainers and instructors meet the relevant qualification and registration requirements before appointment and placement on the teachers’ payroll.
The Teaching Service Division will continue working with Education Providers and TVET institutions to verify outstanding qualifications, assess trainers against the approved framework, and facilitate transition to the appropriate classification and salary scale where the requirements are met.
BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
THE Temotu Provincial Government has pledged its full support for the implementation of the EmpowerHER Project, describing the partnership as a vital step towards promoting and protecting the rights of women and girls across the province.
Speaking during the official launch of the project this week, Deputy Premier of Temotu Province, Hon. Johnny Rogers Mekaboti, said the EmpowerHER Project brings renewed hope that no community will be left behind despite the province’s geographical challenges.
He said Temotu Province has often missed out on important development programmes because of its isolation, leaving vulnerable groups, particularly women and girls, exposed to abuse and violence.
“Temotu Province consists of many small and widely dispersed islands spread across one of the largest maritime areas in Solomon Islands. Because of our geographical isolation, our communities often experience limited access to essential government services, health care, education, justice and protection services.
“For many years, distance has remained one of our greatest development challenges. Yet distance should never determine whether a person receives protection, justice, dignity and equal opportunity,” Mekaboti said.
He said the provincial government was honoured that Temotu had been selected as one of only two pilot provinces for the national initiative.
“It is indeed a privilege that Temotu Province has been selected as one of the two pilot provinces for this important national initiative. We do not regard this selection simply as recognition; we regard it as a responsibility and an opportunity to improve the lives of our people,” Mekaboti said.
He acknowledged the Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association (SIPPA) and its donor partners for choosing Temotu as one of the project sites.
Mekaboti assured stakeholders that the Temotu Provincial Government would work closely with SIPPA, Alinea International, development partners, churches, chiefs, women leaders, youth groups and the Temotu Island Councils to ensure the project reaches communities throughout the province.
“We will support awareness programmes, community dialogue, capacity building and local leadership initiatives that promote respect, equality, family wellbeing and the protection of every individual, regardless of gender,” he said.
While acknowledging that implementing the project across the remote island province would be challenging, Mekaboti expressed confidence that strong partnerships and teamwork would ensure the project’s success.
“On behalf of the Temotu Provincial Government and the people of Temotu Province, I proudly reaffirm our full support for the EmpowerHER Project.
“May this partnership continue to grow from strength to strength, bringing lasting hope, protection, dignity, equality and opportunity to every woman, every girl, every family and every community across our beautiful islands,” he said.
