Salutation:
- Representatives from the Diplomatic Corps and I recognize the presence of
- Rod Hilton, Australian High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands
- Johnathan Schwass, New Zealand High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands
- Thanks to our valued development partners for joining us in our celebrations of our Education Act.
- Senior government officials
- MEHRD Staff
- Deans and Lecturers of the SINU
- Education Authority Reps
- General Secretary and Members of the SINTA Executive
- Teachers
- Students
- Members of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force
- Media representatives covering the event
- Distinguished Guests
- Ladies and gentlemen
- I am immensely honored to stand before you all today as the Minister for Education. Less than two weeks ago, on October 12, we made history. A new Education Act was passed by the Parliament of the Solomon Islands. This is a day that marks a momentous milestone in Solomon Islands education history. I am so very proud to say we now have an Education Act for 2023.
- Our education system was only formalized at Independence in 1978, with a piece of legislation governing the system at that time.
- In the 45 years since we gained political independence from Great Britain, our education system has changed significantly. At independence, only the lucky few of our children were able to attend school and gain a basic education, with even fewer of the population successfully completing a high school education, and only the very lucky ones gained a post-secondary education. Since 1978, many things have changed:
- We now have the majority of children attending school, with a good percentage completing junior secondary and senior secondary. We also have much greater numbers gaining post-secondary qualifications.
- This is wonderful progress, yet these achievements have not been without challenges.
- Over time, it became obvious that the previous Education Act had gaps and omissions, making it challenging to administer education. Over the years, as our country developed, different needs and wants for its students became evident. It became clear that our old legislation missed some critical aspects, for example, early childhood education, child protection, equity, and inclusiveness.
- In 2013, an esteemed group of Solomon Islanders began a review of our education system and published a white paper describing an agenda for change and development within the education sector. It sought to give an empowering sense of direction and a definition of the relationship between the Ministry of Education and all partners in education.
- In the eight years after the publication of that paper, after ongoing years of consultation, debate, and thinking, we finally created a new law to guide us into the future. This new legislation is aimed at providing a clear, unifying, and accountable framework to ensure every girl and boy in our country can have the opportunity and self-fulfillment they need and to decisively influence the quality of life of all citizens and the prosperity of our nation.
- As partners in education—all key education stakeholders—all of us and not only the staff of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development should be committed to working together in the months and years ahead to implement the Education Legislative Framework and to reform the education system in order to improve access to quality education for all Solomon Islands children and advance standards for teachers and school management.
- The Education Act 2023 embodies a new vision and direction to advance the education sector, build capacity, and empower our future leaders!
- This new legislation is our very own statute for the next generation of education.
- Our new Education Act provides clarity for those who administer education and all those who, together, hand in hand, support our system.
- The Education Act 2023 provides us all with a contemporary framework from which to develop our education system to continue to improve access to, quality, and management of early childhood, primary and secondary education, and the teaching profession.
- In its guiding principles, our Education Act 2023 seeks to have an education system that fosters an understanding and critical appreciation of the moral, spiritual, religious, social, and cultural values that have been distinctive in shaping Solomon Islands society and that have been recognized and respected within the community.
- promotes culture, customs, values, and attitudes that foster societal harmony and positive outcomes nurtures a sense of personal identity, self-esteem, and awareness of one’s personal abilities, aptitudes, and limitations, combined with a respect for the rights and beliefs of others.
- promotes equal educational opportunity for all, including by helping those who are disadvantaged, through economic, social, physical, and mental factors, to develop their full potential.
- develops intellectual skills combined with a spirit of inquiry and the capacity to analyze issues critically and constructively.
- fosters a spirit of self-reliance, innovation, initiative, and imagination
- provides students with the necessary education to support the country’s economic development and to enable them to make their particular contribution to society in an effective way.
- creates tolerant, responsible, caring, and politically aware citizens who understand their rights and responsibilities.
- ensures that young Solomon Islanders acquire a keen awareness of their national heritage and identity and an awareness of, respect for, and care for the environment.
- As well as the work developing our new Act, the MEHRD team followed the White Paper recommendations and has written all new subordinate documents to replace all the old policies and the Teaching Service Handbook.
- These documents are designed to provide a simple and coherent set of papers for all of our schools and stakeholders to use and apply. As soon as these documents have been through the required approval process, they will be printed and distributed for all school leaders, education providers, and other key education stakeholders to use and apply, hopefully making the application of our new Act simpler.
- The entire project of developing the Education Act and the broader legislative framework has been massive and required dedication and commitment. This was only achieved as a result of real teamwork. I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge just a few of those who contributed.
- Since the beginning of work on this legislation, there have been some six different ministers for education. These were Hon. Dick Ha’amori, Hon. Dr. Derek Sikua, the late Hon. John Moffat Fugui, Hon. John Dean Kuku, Hon. Aston Mewa, and myself. On behalf of the government, MEHRD, and the people of the Solomon Islands, I would like to thank each of the ministers for the role they played in the development of the Education Bill.
- The many staff members from the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, and in particular, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Franco Rodie, who has personally driven this reform agenda even when things become very challenging, Thank you, Dr. Rodie, and your MEHRD team for your persistence and determination.
- To the team of people who contributed to the development of the initial white paper, which got things started in 2013,
- The Solomon Islands National Education Board over the years and the many people from across our shores who contributed to consultation.
- Those people working in education authorities and provinces who have contributed in numerous ways over the years.
- And finally, but not least, I would like to thank the governments of Australia and New Zealand, who, through the Solomon Islands Education Sector Support Program, provided technical support and funding over the years of all of this work. This ongoing support allowed us to undertake an exemplary process, acknowledged as such on the floor of our Parliament.
- Not many of us will ever be in a position to say we were part of something as significant as a brand-new piece of such significant legislation. This is a once-in-a lifetime moment for us. Please take pride in this moment in our country’s educational history.
- Ladies, gentlemen, teachers, girls, and boys, I give you the Education Act 2023.
- Happy celebrations!
