BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
THE Minister of Education and Human Resources Development announced the implementation of a newly reformed Education Act aimed at protecting the rights and well-being of special needs children in the education system.
Caretaker Minister of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), Hon. Lanelle Olandrea Tanangada, highlighted: ”We must ensure that the school learning environment is inclusive in terms of meeting the needs of children with special needs through infrastructure and learning programs and materials.
”Additionally, MEHRD will ensure the provision of educational, social, and emotional support required for students to fully engage in learning.
”Meeting individual needs through counseling services, teachers’ individualized planning, and specialized programs for special needs children is crucial to addressing their unique requirements,” the Caretaker Minister said at the International Education Day Celebrations held at the Honiara Senior Secondary School on Friday, January 26th, 2024.
She also emphasized the importance of inclusive education and ensuring that every child, regardless of their abilities, receives an equal opportunity to learn and thrive.
“The MEHRD will ensure students are treated fairly regardless of their gender, sexuality, health, disability, religion, race, or ethnicity. In addition, we must ensure that the school learning environment is inclusive in terms of meeting the needs of special needs children through infrastructure, learning programs, and materials,” the caretaker minister said.
She added that the MEHRD’s commitment to the new education reform (Education Act 2023) Part 3, Divisions 3 and 4, highlights the important role education plays in protecting a child from any causes of harm, whether it’s physical or psychological harm caused within or outside of the Solomon Islands.
“Therefore, MEHRD will ensure that all students are provided with a safe and inclusive learning environment where their rights and responsibilities are recognized and respected. We ensure students are treated fairly regardless of their gender, sexuality, health, disability, religion, race, or ethnicity. In addition, we must ensure that the school learning environment is inclusive in terms of meeting the needs of special needs children through infrastructure and learning programs and materials.
”At this juncture, the MEHRD is committed to the new education reform. The Education Act 2023, in Part 2(C), states that early childhood, primary, and secondary education should promote culture, customs, values, and attitudes that foster societal harmony and positive outcomes, and Part 2(1) alludes to the idea that education creates tolerant, responsible, caring, and politically aware citizens who understand their rights and responsibilities. This is further stipulated in schools administrative instructions, particularly in Part 3, Divisions 3 (1) and 4 (1), which highlight the crucial role education plays in protecting a child from any form of harm, be it physical or psychological, occurring within or outside the Solomon Islands,” she added.
The Solomon Islands caretaker government is collaborating with the Ministry of Peace and Traditional Governance and Ecclesiastical Affairs (MPTGEA) and the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) to develop a peace education curriculum, aiming to mainstream it nationwide through collaboration with education institutions and other stakeholders.
