BY JOY OFASIA
Minister for Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), Hon. Tozen Leokana, has praised the growing strength of school leadership across the Solomon Islands and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to professional development for teachers and principals.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the 2025 School Principals’ Conference held at the Lecture Theatre, Panatina Campus, Hon. Leokana acknowledged the hard work of school leaders and the long-term support provided by successive governments, MEHRD, and development partners such as Australia, New Zealand, and the Global Partnership for Education.
“I am encouraged to know that successive governments, through MEHRD and with the support of our development partners, have made significant strides in strengthening school leadership,” Hon. Leokana said.
He pointed out that over 1,000 teachers had completed the IOE/USP General Certificate in Educational Leadership in recent years, helping to equip educators with the skills to effectively manage schools and guide teaching staff.
“Our regional university – the University of the South Pacific – and our national institution – the Solomon Islands National University – have played key roles over the past decade, especially in training previously unqualified and uncertified teachers,” he said. “As a result, we have seen a real increase in the number of qualified and certified teachers entering the workforce.”
Hon. Leokana highlighted MEHRD’s continued focus on teacher and leadership development through its Teachers’ and Leaders’ Professional Development Program, supported by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).
“This program is focusing on the professionalization of school management,” he explained. “It sets clearer expectations for school leadership, strengthens accountability, and provides principals with structured learning and performance-based development.”
He also introduced the Solomon Islands Standards for Teachers and Principals, a framework now in place to help identify the unique training and development needs of both teachers and school leaders.
“These standards are not just a tool for assessment,” he said. “They are a roadmap for growth—ensuring that each principal is supported and guided on their journey to excellence.”
Minister Leokana acknowledged the difficult environment many principals are working in and urged continued support for those leading schools across the country.
“You are all leading in tough times, and those tough times create a pressing need for effective leadership,” he said. “Leadership that promotes a strong school culture, clear values, and a real sense of purpose—alongside good structures and governance.”
He stressed the importance of building students’ social and emotional skills, not just academic knowledge.
“It’s not only about core competencies,” he added. “We also need to support and develop young people’s ability to interact positively with others in their communities.”
Hon. Leokana also expressed the Ministry’s deep respect for the role of principals and the sacrifices they make in service to education.
“The challenges you face are real,” he said, “but so too is your power to overcome them. Your leadership is one of the most vital levers we have in shaping a better future for every child in the Solomon Islands.”
The 2025 School Principals’ Conference ends today at Panatina Campus, with a focus on sharing strategies for effective school management and building stronger learning environments across the Solomon Islands.
