HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS – Honiara Senior Secondary School has received modern teaching, administration and student-support facilities funded by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, marking a major step towards easing overcrowding and improving learning conditions at one of the country’s largest secondary schools.
The approximately SBD 9.9 million reconstruction project provides an eight-classroom teaching block, an administration block with office and conference facilities, a two-level library, computer laboratory, and additional water, sanitation and hygiene facilities for students and staff.
Honiara Senior Secondary School currently enrols 1,440 students from Forms 4 to 7 and has 45 teachers. Acting Principal Mr Johnson Mangila said the new facilities bring the school closer to resolving its high enrolment and overcrowding challenges while creating a safer and more conducive environment for teaching and learning.
Minister of Education and Human Resource Development Hon. Stephen Kumi described the handover as an important milestone in restoring the school after its classroom and administration facilities were severely damaged during the social unrest of 2021.
Hon. Kumi thanked the Government and people of China for responding positively to the Solomon Islands Government’s request for assistance. He also acknowledged the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, Honiara City Council, the school board and community, and TGB Construction and its workforce for completing the project despite implementation challenges.
The Minister said the investment extends beyond the buildings because it creates better conditions for learning and helps prepare young Solomon Islanders to become the teachers, health professionals, engineers, public servants, business leaders and national leaders of tomorrow. He said the project is also timely as the Government advances its Free Education Policy.
Wider access to education, Hon. Kumi said, must be matched by sufficient classrooms, teachers, learning materials, WASH facilities and safe learning environments if the policy is to be implemented successfully and sustainably. He urged the school community to protect and maintain the new facilities so they can serve future generations.
Minister of Finance and Treasury Hon. Rex Ramofafia said government budgets reflect national choices and values, and investment in education confirms that young people are a priority. A former Honiara High School student, he encouraged students to see the new classrooms as opportunities to learn, think, question, dream and build their futures. He also paid tribute to teachers and staff, noting that while buildings support education, teachers shape minds, build character and give hope.
Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Cai Weiming, said the project represents partnership, progress and mutual support between the two countries. He noted that it is the first China grant-funded project implemented by local contractors and acknowledged the government agencies, school community, contractors and engineers who contributed to its completion.
Ambassador Cai said China has provided more than SBD 2.4 billion in official assistance to Solomon Islands over the past seven years. The school project joins other major China-supported investments, including the National Stadium, SINU dormitory, National Referral Hospital Comprehensive Medical Centre and National Broadband Infrastructure Project.
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The ceremony was attended by Ambassador Cai; Hon. Stephen Kumi; Hon. Rex Ramofafia; Honiara City Mayor Cr David Siapu and the City Clerk; MEHRD Permanent Secretary Supervising Linda Wate; Clerk to the National Parliament Jefferson Halu; and representatives of Honiara City Council, the school board, contractors, teachers, students, parents and invited guests.
The project reflects the wider cooperation between Solomon Islands and China to restore important public assets and strengthen services that directly benefit communities.
