ESSP hosts awareness workshop for media

By. Timothy Inifiri Jr.

The Solomon Islands Education Sector Support Program (ESSP)- A partnership between the government of Solomon Islands, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand yesterday held a Communications Awareness Workshop Program at the Heritage Park Hotel.

The workshop hosted participants from many of the country’s media organisations Non- Government Organisations with the aim of sharing information and raise awareness about the ESSP and how this program supports the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD).

The ESSP which started in 2020 provides the strategic direction and implementation arrangements for the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) combined investment to support MEHRD implement its Education Strategic Framework 2016 – 2030 and its National Education Action Plan 20222026 (NEAP) and its successor.

“We support three Governments with MEHRD being the central partner and then Australia and New Zealand Providing the support”, said ESSP Team Leader, Agnes Aruwafu.

Mrs Aruwafu also said that the MEHRD is looking after a large and significant sector with 1,050 schools which includes 510 stand alone primary schools, 243 Community High Schools, 16 Provincial High Schools, 10 National Highh Schools and also a tool of 284 registered Early Childhood Education Centers.

“What we really appreciate about this program is that the two major donors (Australia & New Zealand) that are supporting the education sector in Solomon Islands have been here for years, are harmonizing their approach”, she said.

Mrs Aruwafu then highlighted that her team’s ultimate outcome is the quality education for children and having children being able to access education in the country.

The oneday workshop also includes raising awareness about ESSP’s branding guidelines for members of the Solomon Islands media, communication officers and members of the Non-Government Organisations who benefited from ESSPs NGO grants.