NSC, NDFSI gear up for September 5 play for equity open day
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
Preparations are gathering pace for the Play For Equity Open Day, with the National Sports Council (NSC) and National Disability Forum Solomon Islands (NDFSI) now looking towards September 5 for the rollout of the inclusive sports initiative.
The NSC said preparations have progressed following a planning meeting between its Sports and Recreational Development Department and the NDFSI team, held as part of efforts to finalise arrangements for the event at the Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport (SINIS).
The Open Day was initially announced for August 28 but has now been rescheduled to Saturday, September 5.
The change comes as organisers work to ensure the programme is properly structured to provide meaningful opportunities for persons with disabilities to engage in sport, recreation and other lifestyle activities.
According to the NSC, the initiative will place particular emphasis on women and girls with disabilities, while also creating greater opportunities for men and boys to participate in an environment designed to be inclusive and accessible.
Rather than focusing solely on sporting activities, the Open Day will incorporate a range of programmes intended to connect participants with wider opportunities within sport and recreation.
These will include registration and database development, talent identification, sports pathways, community-led inclusive activities and empowerment sessions.
The NSC said the activities are designed to help challenge existing perceptions while addressing some of the barriers that can prevent persons with disabilities from participating fully in sport and community activities.
“The Open Day provides a meaningful, inclusive and empowering experience for participants,” the NSC said, highlighting the importance of continued collaboration between the two organisations as preparations progress.
The initiative also carries a broader development focus, with the programme seeking to use sport as a platform for participation, empowerment and greater inclusion within communities.
The activity is supported through the Play for Equity grant under the Australian Government’s Team Up Program, in partnership with the International Olympic Committee through its Olympism365 strategy.
The NSC and NDFSI collaboration forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen inclusive sport opportunities in Solomon Islands, with further updates expected as preparations continue ahead of the September 5 Open Day.
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BY LESLEY FOINAGWA IN WEST KWAIO
A local chief in West Kwaio, Malaita Province, has strongly supported customary land recording, saying it could help Bina people settle long-standing questions about traditional land ownership, leadership and boundaries.
Chief Tom Funi said the process could help communities better understand and protect their customary land while preserving their culture for future generations.
He encouraged the people of Bina to accept land recording with “love and faith”.
“We are satisfied with the concept of the land recording process. I fully support it and recommend that the people of Bina adopt this process,” Chief Funi said.
The Bina region is supporting the Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant Project by helping improve understanding of its traditional land, stories and culture. This information can help support development that respects local communities and their traditions.
Chief Funi said customary land was closely linked to the cultural and spiritual identity of the people.
He said disagreements over land had existed since the time of their ancestors, especially over the discovery of land, leadership and ownership.
According to Chief Funi, recording customary land rights could help communities identify and document the people who have legitimate rights to particular areas.
“I fully encourage our people to adopt the land recording process. I fully support it and recommend it, including to the national government,” he said.
He also called on the government to strengthen laws supporting customary land recording, including the Customary Land Recording Act and other relevant customary land laws.
Chief Funi said people should take greater care of their culture, traditional land and natural resources.
“People must value their culture and also their resources,” he said.
For the Bina communities, land is not only about ownership. It carries stories, identity, traditions and connections passed down through generations.
Chief Funi believes land recording provides an opportunity to protect these important connections while helping communities address old questions and prepare for respectful development in the future.
He said protecting customary land today would help ensure that Bina’s traditional heritage remains strong for future generations.
BY LESLEY FOINAGWA IN WEST KWAIO
Community members in West Kwaio, Malaita Province, have been encouraged to record their customary land rights to protect their land for future generations.
The message was shared during a customary land recording awareness programme held at Geaidingale Community High School on Friday, 21 August 2026. The programme was organised by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey.
Land Recording Officer David Oroi told participants that recording customary land was an important way to protect their rights.
“Securing your land rights today for tomorrow,” Mr Oroi said.
He explained that customary land recording involves documenting land rights and keeping the information at provincial and central land recording offices.
The records include the name of the land-holding group, its genealogy and members, land boundaries, primary and secondary rights, and the names of representatives.
Mr Oroi said the process was important for tribes, government, communities, women and young people.
He said recording land could help protect the rights of land-holding groups and preserve important land knowledge for future generations.
“Customary land recording can also contribute to peace and stability,” he said.
For many communities, customary land is more than a piece of ground. It is connected to family history, culture, identity and the lives of future generations. Proper records can help communities protect these connections and reduce confusion over land ownership.
Mr Oroi said customary land is collectively owned by a land-holding group and must be managed according to custom. He added that land disputes could also be addressed through customary reconciliation.
The recording process is carried out by the Tribal Land Recording Unit of the Ministry. It includes several steps, beginning with an application and public notice.
This is followed by recording land rights, marking boundaries, issuing a notice of completion, public inspection and finally the issuance of a Certificate of Completion.
Director of Land Reform Hellen Houkeni was among the ministry officials who attended the programme.
Member of the Malaita Provincial Assembly for Ward 28, John Daubo, and Malaita Provincial Premier Elijah Asilaua also attended.
The awareness programme gave community members an opportunity to understand their customary land rights and learn how recording them can help protect their land and traditional knowledge for generations to come.
BY JOSES SAREN
Most Solomon Islands schools are built near the coast or close to waterways, leaving them exposed to flooding and rising seas, a national climate assessment has found — a risk already realised at Selwyn College, which was forced to relocate following Cyclone Namu.
The finding is part of the Solomon Islands Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA), an interactive story map released July 13 by Beca International Consultants with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The assessment cited Selwyn College’s move as the clearest local example of climate hazards already forcing schools to relocate.
Past storms have destroyed school buildings and forced relocations elsewhere too, it said. Remote and under-resourced schools face the greatest risk, the assessment warned.
Aging assets, maintenance gaps and limited funding leave these schools least able to recover quickly after damage.
Delays in repairs can lead to overcrowded classrooms or prolonged disruption to learning, it said.
The assessment mapped 1,050 schools nationwide, including 510 primary schools, 243 community high schools and 10 national high schools.
Facility data was drawn from the Education Facilities dataset held by MECDM and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey (MLHS). The assessment noted this dataset mixes verified and unverified records, so actual numbers may differ.
Many schools sit within 50 to 1,000 metres of the shoreline, it found. Central, Choiseul and Western provinces were flagged as the most exposed. Low-lying coastal schools face rising seas, storm surges and repeated flooding that can damage buildings and contaminate water supplies, the assessment said.
Separately, the assessment mapped schools against waterways. Only a small share of schools sit directly beside rivers or streams. But many lie within one kilometre of a waterway, particularly in Guadalcanal province, exposing them to flooding and landslide risk during heavy rain.
The assessment rated current climate risk to schools as low to moderate overall.
It said this risk is expected to worsen as rainfall intensifies and coastal erosion accelerates in the coming decades.
The assessment forms part of the evidence base for the Solomon Islands’ first National Adaptation Plan (NAP).
It recommends stronger, more resilient school infrastructure and more flexible learning options to protect against future climate shocks.
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Remote communities in Western province call for supplies as bureaucracy continues to slow Maila relief works
BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
COMMUNITIES in remote parts of Ranongga island, Western province are still in need of food supplies as food security challenges continue to worsen following Cyclone Maila.
This follows the reality faced by government in the slow-moving relief work to reach affected communities in the Western and Choiseul provinces due to bureaucratic hurdles.
Chief of Mondo community in Ranongga, Silas Reuban said most gardens planted after the cyclone have been unable to produce enough food to meet the needs of families.
He said the ongoing bad weather has further contributed to the difficulties faced by communities trying to restore their food gardens.
“Currently, we are surviving on the bags of rice that were distributed after the cyclone. Gardening is quite difficult at the moment due to the ongoing weather and also pest invasion,” Reuban said.
He said people in Mondo are now relying on wild taro, locally known as kakake, to supplement their food supplies.
Reuban said food distributions should continue to support communities and families that are struggling to restore their gardens and achieve food security.
Disaster Chairperson of Lale village, Billy Aqolo, shared similar concerns, saying some families are still struggling to put enough food on the table.
“We are slowly recovering from the disaster, but we still need food supplies to support our families,” Aqolo said.
He calls on the Provincial Disaster Committee and the national government to consider continuing food distributions to communities still affected by the disaster.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECCDM) David Hiriasia last week told a media conference the reality of the snail-paced relief work which is due to bureaucratic hurdles.
Mr Hiriasia voiced that it will take time for relief to reach communities in the two provinces, Western and Choiseul.
He said that while funding had been announced to support recovery, the funds could not be distributed immediately because each funding arrangement had its own processes.
“A lot of funding has been announced, and people always refer to those funds, but they also have their own processes. One of the main funding sources was the supplementary appropriation, which Parliament has already passed,” he said
He said Government will continue with the allocation, but can seek additional funding if the approved amount is insufficient.
“If it is not enough, then we request the Government to support with additional funds,” he said.
Hiriasia said Maila’s severity had triggered disaster financing arrangements and support from development partners, including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Australia, New Zealand and other partners.
He said Government is now working through the different processes to ensure assistance reaches affected communities.
“It will take time, and we continue to ask our people in those affected areas to be patient with us and understand that we are prioritising these areas,” he said.
Hiriasia also said Government’s response to Maila was being guided by the national disaster plan, which provides for a whole-of-government approach.
He said the plan was developed following the Gizo earthquake and tsunami and had continued to be refined based on lessons learned from previous disasters.
“The current version, developed in 2018, is reviewed to identify gaps and areas requiring improvement,” he said.
Hiriasia said new government structures, including Constituency Development Committees and Ward Development Committees, will also need to be incorporated into the disaster plan.
“By including these changes, hopefully it will improve response and recovery in the future,” he said.
He acknowledged that recovery from previous disasters had sometimes been delayed because of limited resources, with some disasters not receiving adequate recovery support.
Hiriasia said Government will use lessons learnt to improve its disaster response and recovery approach.
He urges affected communities to remain patient as Government continues to prioritise recovery needs and work through the required processes.
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
ROAD rehabilitation has finally kicked off in Gizo, bringing relief to vehicle owners, businesses and residents who have endured deteriorating road conditions for a long time.
Earlier this week, heavy machinery was seen leveling the road leading to Gizo Community High School.
Yesterday, machines were also busy grinding and compacting the road section from Gizo Market towards Family Shop.
The rehabilitation works are being carried out under the Gizo Road Emergent Works and Spot Rehabilitation Project, endorsed by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID).
JED Construction has been awarded the contract to undertake emergent works and spot rehabilitation on key sections of the Gizo Road.
The original scope of works was planned to cover the road section from Gizo Market through PT109 and towards CFC Junction.
However, the scope has been adjusted to ensure the most urgent sections of the road receive attention as soon as possible.
Speaking during the launching of the project, Provincial Minister of Works Freedom Tozaka said improving the road was important to ensure businesses could operate smoothly.
He said Gizo Road had remained in poor condition for a long time and stressed that repairing the road was now urgent.
“Gizo Road has been in poor state for so long and the need to repair the road is urgent,” Tozaka said.
He acknowledged MID for its timely support towards the rehabilitation project.
Tozaka said the Western Provincial Government would continue working closely with donor partners to improve other sections of the Gizo Road.
The rehabilitation is expected to provide better access for motorists and pedestrians while supporting businesses and economic activities in the provincial capital.
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作者:本·比卢亚
吉佐
吉佐的道路修复工程终于启动,为长期忍受恶劣道路条件的车辆拥有者、商家和居民带来了缓解。
本周早些时候,重型机械正在平整通往吉佐社区高中(Gizo Community High School)的道路。
昨天,机械也在忙于对从吉佐市场(Gizo Market)到家庭商店(Family Shop)路段进行磨碎和压实。
修复工程是在基础设施发展部(Ministry of Infrastructure Development,MID)批准下进行的吉佐道路紧急工程和局部修复项目(Gizo Road Emergent Works and Spot Rehabilitation Project)下进行的。
JED Construction公司已获得合同,负责吉佐道路关键路段的紧急工程和局部修复。
原计划的工作范围包括从吉佐市场经过PT109到CFC交叉口的路段。
然而,工作范围已进行调整,以确保最紧急的路段能尽快得到关注。
在项目启动仪式上,省道务部长弗里德姆·托扎卡(Freedom Tozaka)表示,改善道路对确保商家顺利运营至关重要。
他说,吉佐道路长期处于恶劣状态,强调修复道路的紧迫性。
“吉佐道路已经处于糟糕状态很久,修复道路的需求非常紧迫,”托扎卡说。
他对MID在修复项目中及时的支持表示感谢。
托扎卡表示,西部省政府将继续与捐助伙伴密切合作,以改善吉佐道路的其他路段。
此次修复预计将为机动车和行人提供更好的通行条件,同时支持省会的商业和经济活动。
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MID condemns deliberate damage to newly installed road signs along Henderson-Alligator Road and urges public protection. The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), through the Land and Maritime Connectivity Project (LMCP), has strongly condemned the deliberate damage to newly installed road signs and road furniture along the Henderson to Alligator Road. Two newly installed road signs [...]
The post MID CONDEMNS DAMAGE TO NEWLY INSTALLED ROAD SIGNS appeared first on Tavuli News (Solomon Islands) .
BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Honiara City Council (HCC) Deputy City Clerk Jefferson Patovaki has urged the HCC school leaders to take the lead in driving quality education, saying better education outcomes will not happen automatically.
Mr Patovaki made the remarks yesterday, August 25, at the HCC Multipurpose Hall during an induction programme for HCC school leaders.
“Quality education will not come automatically. We have to drive it,” Patovaki told the school leaders.
He encouraged principals and other school leaders to take the initiative in identifying the needs of their schools and engage with HCC Education provider (EP) on ways to improve education for students.
Mr Patovaki said school leaders should not wait for education officials to approach them but should come forward with their concerns, ideas and proposals.
“Please come to us,” he said, encouraging leaders to communicate what was needed to improve learning and student outcomes.
He also stressed the importance of teamwork and collaboration among school leaders, saying stronger cooperation was necessary to achieve better results for students.
“We want to hear from you, school leaders. We want to hear from you,” he said.
Patovaki further urged school leaders to take a genuine interest in their students and develop closer relationships with them.
He said principals and teachers should communicate with students and understand their concerns, rather than limiting their engagement to formal classroom interactions.
He also acknowledged that schools operate with limited resources but challenged leaders to be innovative and creative in making the most of what they have.
Mr Patovaki warned that schools could fall behind if they relied solely on limited resources without finding new ways to improve their services.
He concluded by calling for a stronger collaborative and teamwork approach between HCC and its school leaders to improve education outcomes for students.
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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Honiara City Council (HCC) Education Director Davis S. Pitamama has challenged HCC school leaders to strengthen leadership, improve education standards and make better use of opportunities and resources available within the capital.
Mr Pitamama made the remarks on Tuesday, August 25, day one of a three-day leadership and induction programme for HCC school leaders held at the Multipurpose Hall in Honiara.
He said HCC schools should not be regarded as “second-class” or “second-choice” schools simply because they operate within the city.
“We are located within the city, classified as city schools, but rated as second class and second choice schools,” Mr Pitamama said.
He said HCC schools have access to technology, services and other resources that could support improved education, but these opportunities must be better utilised.
Pitamama said some parents still preferred other schools in Honiara, while HCC schools were sometimes considered only when there were no spaces available elsewhere.
He said this mindset needed to change, stressing that HCC schools should demonstrate that they can provide quality education and strong leadership.
“This is not for discouraging, but for encouraging HCC so that HCC taps into those opportunities,” he said.
Pitamama also described the three-day programme as an important opportunity for school leaders to meet, share ideas, discuss common challenges and learn from one another.
He said school leaders often work within the same education system but do not always have enough opportunities to collaborate and exchange experiences.
Pitamama encouraged the leaders to use the programme to strengthen their leadership capacity and identify practical ways to improve their schools.
He said HCC expects participating school leaders to take the lessons and ideas gained from the programme back to their respective schools and strengthen their leadership roles.
Mr Pitamama said stronger leadership and greater collaboration among school leaders would help lift standards and improve education outcomes across HCC schools.
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By RODRICK DESURI
Auki
Asphalt surfacing is progressing well on sections of the feeder roads under the Auki Road Improvement Project this week.
The asphalt application is the final major stage of road construction, involving a mixture of stone, sand and gravel bound together with bitumen to create a smooth and durable road surface.
Once the surfacing is completed, the remaining works will include road markings and the installation of traffic signs before the project is expected to be handed over in November.
The progress has given Auki residents a clearer picture of what the completed road will look like, with many welcoming the improved standard of the road.
However, heavy rainfall this morning disrupted the asphalt application, forcing workers to temporarily stop operations.
John Toloi, a resident from Kwara’ae, commended the Government and the People’s Republic of China for supporting the road improvement project.
“This is how roads should be. This is a standard road that we should have in our provinces. It is strong and should last for a long time,” he said.
He said the new road standard was a significant improvement compared with some of the old roads, which he said could deteriorate quickly during heavy rain.
Meanwhile, a recent community awareness programme involving the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), police and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development urged members of the public to stay away from active asphalt work areas.
A CCECC liaison officer, George Foubata warned that the asphalt is extremely hot and can cause serious burns if it comes into contact with the human body.
The officer urged residents and motorists to keep away from the work sites and allow construction workers to safely complete the remaining works.
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BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
The Selwyn College Old Association (SOSA), through its growing international alumni network, has received five laptops through a generous donation from New Zealand’s Tairawhiti Multicultural Council.
The laptops were recently presented to the SOSA Executive by Professor Arish Naresh of the Tairāwhiti Multicultural Council. The donation is part of the council’s Opportunities Without Discrimination initiative, which continues to make a meaningful difference in communities and create opportunities for people across the Pacific.
The donation was made possible through the generous support of the Ha Family of Adelaide, South Australia, who contributed the five laptops to SOSA.
SOSA said the gesture was a powerful reminder of the impact that can be achieved when people come together across borders through compassion, generosity and a shared commitment to supporting communities.
SOSA President Robert Luke Iroga expressed his appreciation to the Tairāwhiti Multicultural Council, Professor Naresh and the Ha Family for recognising the association and supporting its work.
Iroga said the laptops would form part of SOSA’s assets as the association continues its revival and strengthening of its alumni network.
He said two of the laptops would later be presented to Selwyn College as academic prizes for the school’s top male and female students.
“This donation is timely and greatly appreciated. It is also a manifestation of SOSA’s growing global reach, as former students of Selwyn College continue to excel in different parts of the world and build meaningful networks beyond their old school,” Iroga said.
He said the donation demonstrated that the bonds formed at Selwyn College continued long after students left the school, with alumni now using their networks and relationships to give back to the institution and support future generations of students.
SOSA expressed its sincere gratitude to the Tairāwhiti Multicultural Council, Professor Arish Naresh and the Ha Family for their generosity and support.
Photo: SOSA members receive five laptops donated through New Zealand’s Tairawhiti Multicultural Council and the Ha Family of Adelaide. Photo Credit: SOSA
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
NGAIGA Community has received new water tanks to improve access to safe and reliable water for families.
The tanks are part of the Ward 10 development programme under the Western Provincial Government’s 2026/2027 planning programme.
Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Ward 10, Freedom Tozaka, formally handed over the water tanks to chiefs and representatives of Ngaiga Community.
Tozaka said 10 communities in Ward 10 have been approved for assistance through the Ward Development Committee Fund.
He said the approved projects were identified based on requests submitted by communities and will be delivered as funding and implementation progressed.
“Their requests have been approved and their projects will be delivered later,” Tozaka said.
He said the provincial government had also approved a special budget to assist communities in Ward 10 with cleaning shorelines and removing debris left behind by Tropical Cyclone Maila.
Tozaka said the funding was limited but would provide much-needed support to communities as they continued recovery efforts following the cyclone.
“These funds are not enough, but at least they touch our communities. They should be used responsibly according to their needs,” he said.
Tozaka urged communities to make proper use of the assistance provided and ensure the projects benefited families and the wider community.
The water tanks are expected to help Ngaiga residents strengthen their access to water, particularly during periods when water sources are affected by dry weather or other environmental challenges.
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Twenty-four former security guards dismissed nine years ago have finally secured justice, after the Trade Disputes Panel (TDP) ruled that...
The post Nine-Year Fight Ends: 24 Security Guards Win in Unfair Dismissal Case appeared first on In-depth Solomons .
The Parliamentary Opposition has announced a new Shadow Ministerial Team, giving its MPs clear jobs to keep a close watch...
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Opposition establishes a Shadow Ministerial Team to scrutinise Government ministries, policies, decisions and public spending. Honiara, Solomon Islands – The Parliamentary Opposition Group has established a Shadow Ministerial Team to strengthen scrutiny of Government ministries, decisions, policies and public expenditure. The new structure will give Opposition Members of Parliament clear portfolio responsibilities and strengthen the [...]
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China expands solar power support to Solomon Islands, extending clean energy access to 25 more rural constituencies. By: Steven Kamoa China is expanding its support for renewable energy in Solomon Islands through the second phase of a mini solar power programme aimed at extending clean energy access to remote communities. The initiative was highlighted during [...]
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by Georgina Maka’a When Tony Laugwaro first arrived at Divine Word University (DWU) as a young ICT student, he was...
The post At 30, DWU Reconnects Two Nations And Renews Scholarship Promise appeared first on In-depth Solomons .
Solomon Ports Board inspects port operations and major projects to strengthen oversight, efficiency and future development. The Solomon Ports Board of Directors has conducted a comprehensive visit to key operational and development areas at the Port of Honiara to strengthen its understanding of port operations and monitor major infrastructure projects. Led by Interim Chairman Robert [...]
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National and U18 tournaments set as selection pathways
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
REGISTRATION is now open for the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation’s (SIRUF) Annual National 7s and High School U18 7s tournaments, with both competitions set to provide pathways towards regional rugby opportunities later this year.
The tournaments will be staged from September 16 to 18 at Town Ground Rugby Stadium, with clubs, teams and schools from Honiara and the provinces invited to take part.
According to an announcement shared by Rakabi SOLOMONS, a SIRUF-linked platform, registration will close on Monday, September 7, giving interested teams just under two weeks to secure their places.
The National 7s will cater for 12 men’s teams and eight women’s teams, while the U18 competition will accommodate eight boys’ teams and six girls’ teams.
The National 7s will also serve as a selection pathway towards the Oceania Rugby 7s tournament scheduled for November 2026.
Meanwhile, the High School U18 7s will provide a pathway towards the Nadi Junior Rugby Festival in Fiji, scheduled for December 8 to 10.
“The Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF) is pleased to announce that registration is now OPEN for the Annual National 7s and High School U18 7s,” the announcement said.
It urged clubs, teams and schools to register early, stressing that the tournaments provide an opportunity for players to compete on the national stage and push for representative selection.
The National 7s and U18 competitions are part of SIRUF’s ongoing efforts to use domestic rugby competitions as a platform for identifying and developing players for higher-level opportunities.
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BY RICHARD MENANOPO
More than 30 Guazaro residents have received a practical introduction to fitness testing as the National Sports Council (NSC) takes its sport, health and recreation awareness programme into Isabel Province.
The outreach at the Melanesian Brotherhood Welchman Section Headquarters combined health awareness with practical activities aimed at encouraging regular exercise and healthier lifestyles.
The NSC said the programme was held on Thursday as part of its Sports and Recreation Development Awareness & Introduction Programme, with a focus on the role of physical activity in preventing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
Participants were also introduced to the council’s “Fitness Blo Iumi” programme through three basic fitness assessments — a 60-second maximum push-up test, a 60-second maximum sit-up test and the Beep Test.
The practical activities allowed participants to assess their fitness while gaining a better understanding of the importance of staying active.
The awareness session also covered the importance of sport in combating NCDs, the structure of sport in Isabel Province and the Fitness Blo Iumi programme.
For the Guazaro community, the outreach was significant as residents said they had never experienced a programme of this nature before.
Section Elder Brother Dickson Mae welcomed the initiative, describing it as a first for the community.
“Thank you very much on behalf of the community. We have never had a program like this come to us before, so this is the first of its kind for us. We are very happy to have received this program,” Mae said.
He also expressed hope that similar programmes would continue reaching the community in the future.
The outreach was supported by the Buala NCD Department and the Isabel Provincial Sports Desk, with JICA Volunteer Hitomi Mizutani and Isabel Provincial Sports Coordinator Adrian Ratana also acknowledged for their assistance.
The Guazaro visit forms part of NSC’s broader effort to take sport, recreation, fitness and health awareness beyond Honiara and closer to provincial communities.
For Guazaro, the initiative provided more than a fitness session, giving residents a first-hand introduction to the value of regular physical activity and healthier lifestyles as part of the wider fight against NCDs.
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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Honiara City Council (HCC) has begun a three-day induction workshop for its school principals, head teachers and board chairs, aimed at strengthening leadership, governance and accountability across HCC schools.
The HCC School Leaders Capacity-Building Workshop started today and will conclude on Thursday this week, bringing together school leaders, HCC Education Division representatives and officials from the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD).
HCC Education Director Davis S. Pitamama said the induction was aimed at strengthening leadership capacity and ensuring school leaders clearly understood their professional responsibilities within the HCC Education Provider.
He said a key objective was to ensure school leaders understood the HCC Education Provider’s vision, mission, strategic priorities and education goals, with a shared commitment to improving the quality of education in HCC schools.
Mr Pitamama said the induction would also clarify the roles and responsibilities of school leaders and strengthen their understanding of the education framework, including the new Education Act, relevant regulations, administrative instructions and other requirements governing the management and operation of schools.
“Now that we have the new Education Act, we must have a clear understanding of how schools should be run,” he said.
He said another important focus was strengthening understanding of the education governance structure and the respective roles of the HCC Education Provider, MEHRD and other offices and personnel supporting schools.
He also highlighted the need for professional and effective school leadership, including applying professional standards and good practices to improve school management, teaching, learning and continuous school improvement.
Meanwhile, Principal Education Officer, Education Provider Support Unit of MEHRD, David Polosomana, said school leaders must work closely with the education provider, MEHRD and other stakeholders to improve educational outcomes for students.
He said effective communication and collaboration between schools and education authorities were essential to delivering quality education.
HCC Deputy City Clerk Jefferson Patovaki reminded school leaders that their responsibilities extended beyond academic performance.
He outlined key expectations including demonstrating integrity, professionalism and ethical conduct, managing school resources effectively, leading teaching and learning, promoting student welfare and safety, building positive relationships with teachers, parents and communities, and upholding government policies, regulations and standards.
Mr Patovaki acknowledged that schools faced resource constraints but urged leaders to make effective and innovative use of available resources.
He also challenged school leaders to focus particularly on students who were struggling academically.
“Our response and our expectation are not for those who are about to pass. It’s for those who are about to lag,” he said.
The three-day induction is expected to strengthen leadership, governance, accountability and collaboration among HCC school leaders and education authorities.
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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Honiara school leaders have been urged to strengthen their understanding of the Education Act 2023 as the country prepares for the rollout of the National Government’s Free Education Policy in 2027.
The call was made by David Polosomana, Principal Education Officer – Education Provider Support Unit (EPSU) of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), during day one of the Honiara City Council (HCC) School Leaders Induction in Honiara today.
Delivering his keynote address, Mr Polosomana said the Education Act 2023 had significantly reshaped the governance and operational framework for education, with clearer responsibilities for institutions involved in managing and supporting schools.
He highlighted the importance of understanding the roles of the Honiara Education Provider Office and the Honiara Education Coordination Office.
He said the Education Provider Office serves as the operational arm for HCC schools, overseeing day-to-day school operations, teaching and administrative personnel, infrastructure and learning environments.
“The Education Coordination Office, meanwhile, provides the strategic link between national education policies and their implementation in Honiara. Its responsibilities include education planning, aligning local strategies with MEHRD policies, monitoring performance and facilitating communication between MEHRD, HCC and other partners,” he said.
Polosomana also highlighted the importance of formal Service Level Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding between MEHRD and HCC.
He said these agreements were important in clearly defining financial responsibilities, resource allocation and operational boundaries, helping prevent confusion and overlap in the management of urban schools.
He also highlighted the role of the Honiara Education Board, designated as the Provincial Education Board under the Education Act 2023, in providing localised oversight.
He said the Board has an important role in ensuring education decisions reflect Honiara’s needs, maintaining professional standards, monitoring budgets and holding education providers and school leaders accountable.
Looking ahead, Mr Polosomana warned that the 2027 Free Education Policy could result in increased enrolments in Honiara schools.
He urged school leaders to begin preparing their institutions by assessing classroom capacity, sanitation facilities, learning materials and other resources.
“While removing school fees opens doors for every child, it will also trigger a significant surge in urban school enrolments,” he said.
Polosomana stressed that increased access must not compromise the quality of education.
He also reminded leaders that free education does not remove the role of parents and communities, urging schools to maintain strong engagement on student attendance, discipline and school development.
He called on school leaders to return to their institutions prepared to work closely with the Education Provider Office, Coordination Office and Honiara Education Board.
“Let us lead with courage, govern with absolute transparency, and build schools that deliver the quality education our children deserve,” Polosomana said.
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By RODRICK DESURI
Auki
The Malaita Provincial Youth Division visited Fanafanae and Border communities in Buma, West Kwara’ae, over the weekend, where youth members took part in a talk-story session focused on leadership, opportunities and the important role of young people in community development.
The session aimed to provide young people with a clearer understanding of their responsibilities as current and future leaders, as well as opportunities and avenues available to help them become productive members of their communities.
Malaita Provincial Youth Coordinator Frank Samo Sari reminded the youth about the importance of their strengths, values and decision-making, saying their actions can have a direct impact on their families and communities.
“I have not come here simply to give you a speech. I come to remind you of the power that is already within you as young people,” he said.
“You are not just the leaders of tomorrow. You are leaders today. Your energy, ideas, strength, creativity and decisions can either build your community or weaken it.
“The future of your community depends greatly on how you choose to use your time and talents,” he said.
Mr. Sari shared eight important points for young people to consider: believing in themselves, taking responsibility, staying away from destructive behaviours, gaining education and skills, engaging in agriculture, becoming responsible leaders, promoting unity among young people, and recognising time as their greatest asset.
He encouraged the youth to make positive decisions and recognise the influence they already have within their communities.
He said their decision make today will determine their future.
“You are powerful and already have a positive viability, not a liability, in the community. You are an asset to the community,” he said.
“You have the power to change your family, community and your province.
“The future is not something we simply wait for, but it is something we build and work hard for through our time, effort and commitment,” Mr Sari added.
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BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
AS the 2026 SOSA Day draws near this Saturday, the Selwyn College Old Scholars Association (SOSA) has announced that one of its own, former Prime Minister and seasoned politician, Jeremiah Manele, will officially open the 2026 SOSA Day, Fun and Reunion Day, at Townground on Saturday, 29th August.
Manele served as the Solomon Islands’ Prime Minister for two years until May this year, and is the Member of Parliament for Hograno/Kia/Havulei Constituency in Isabel Province.
His connection with Selwyn College dates back many years. Manele was a student at Selwyn College and left the Nagilagu campus in 1986.
He later returned briefly as a teacher at Selwyn College Marovovo in the mid-1990s, before joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.
He subsequently rose through the public service ranks to become a Permanent Secretary, before entering Parliament in 2014.
Manele, a member of the SOSA Masi Division, will formally open the 2026 SOSA Day at 12:00 noon on Saturday.
Activities for the reunion and fun day will begin earlier, at around 9:00am, with SOSA calling on old scholars, families and friends to attend what promises to be a memorable day of fellowship, fun and reunion.
SOSA said it looks forward to welcoming everyone to Townground, as old scholars come together to celebrate their shared connection to Selwyn College and renew old friendships.
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