Australia and NZ hand over logistical resources worth millions of dollars to SIG

Enhancing Educational Access in Solomon Islands Through Improved Connectivity

[Honiara, Solomon Islands] 27 June 2024 – In a significant step towards improving educational access and quality in the Solomon Islands, the governments of Australia and New Zealand officially handed over logistical resources to Solomon Islands Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development – MEHRD for education providers across eight provinces.

The handover included eight 23-foot Yamaha Ray Boats, nine outboard motors, six vehicles, and communication resources for education providers.

Minister of Education Tozen Leokana said the delivering of the logistical resources is a testament of the mutual relationship the people and the government of Australia and New Zealand towards transforming education in Solomon Islands.

He said the support will not only improve transportation and communication but ensure every child in Solomon Islands have access to educational provisions.

“This support will ensure that every child in the Solomon Island has access to educational provisions, regardless of their location,” the Minister of Education said.

These essential assets will upgrade provincial education connectivity and enable education providers to better reach and support children and teachers in remote and underserved areas, ensuring that every child in the Solomon Islands has access to quality education.

Acting Australian High Commissioner Andrew Schloeffel expressed Australia’s commitment to supporting the Solomon Islands education sector, ” Australia has an enduring commitment to being a strong partner, and a close friend of Solomon Islands in the education sector – today, tomorrow and for the long run.”

New Zealand High Commissioner Jonathan Schwass added, “New Zealand is proud to hand over these resources and to support improved connectivity between education providers and the schools they serve. In a as geographically diverse as Solomon Islands, education providers are the crucial link between government and school communities. New Zealand is committed to improving access to and quality of education for all children in Solomon Islands, especially those in rural and remote areas.”

The Education Sector Support Program, funded by Australia and New Zealand in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, is a long-standing partnership aimed at bolstering educational infrastructure, enhancing teacher training, and promoting inclusive education in the Solomon Islands. These new boats, vehicles, and communication resources represents Solomon Islands, Australia and New Zealand’s collective commitment to overcoming logistical challenges and improving the reach and effectiveness of educational services.

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The Solomon Islands Education Sector Support Program (ESSP) provides the strategic direction and implementation arrangements for the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) combined investment to support the Solomon Islands Government to implement its Education Strategic Framework (ESF) 2016-2030 and the National Education Action Plan 2022-2026.