BY LESLEY FOINAGWA – ISLES MEDIA FREELANCER
Gwaidingale Community High School in West Kwaio, Malaita province has received a brand-new three-tonne pickup truck, thanks to funding from the Transport Fund under the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development, facilitated by the West Kwaio Constituency Office.
The official handover ceremony took place recently in Honiara, where the Member of Parliament (MP) for West Kwaio, Hon. Claudius Tei’ifi, formally presented the vehicle to the school. Although Hon. Tei’ifi was not present at the school’s graduation event, the school community took time to acknowledge and express deep appreciation for his continued support.
“Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to announce, congratulate and sincerely acknowledge our Member of Parliament for West Kwaio, Hon. Claudius Tei’ifi, for this tremendous gift and ongoing support since the beginning of his leadership,” said Mr. Chrisanto Kaeni, Principal of Gwaidingale Community High School (CHS), during the graduation ceremony.
Principal Kaeni confirmed that the three-tonne truck had already arrived at the school and would be used for various operational and developmental purposes. “This vehicle will play a vital role in supporting the school’s infrastructure projects and improving daily operations. It will also assist in transporting teachers to Auki for their fortnightly salary runs,” he said.
The teachers of Gwaidingale CHS also extended their gratitude, describing the truck as a “big support” that would significantly ease transport challenges faced by the school.
“This is the first time the school has owned such a valuable asset,” said Principal Kaeni. “I assure everyone that we will take good care of it and ensure it serves the school’s needs well into the future.”
Parents and guardians echoed the same sentiments, saying they were proud of the school’s achievement. “It is a good thing for Gwaidingale to own such a property,” one parent commented.
The funding for the vehicle came through the Government’s Transport Fund, administered by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development (MID) and allocated to constituencies to improve transportation services. Taxpayers in West Kwaio have directly contributed to this project through the constituency office, highlighting the impact of public funds on education infrastructure.
The new truck is expected to enhance Gwaidingale CHS’s capacity to manage development projects, support staff mobility, and improve service delivery across the school.
