PM: GOV’T PRIORITIZES EDUCATION

Government prioritizes education because it believes that education is the tool that can make positive changes for the betterment of the country.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare reaffirmed the message at the “Transforming Education Summit” at the United Nation General Assembly, New York, United States of America.

The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of the summit by quoting the words of Nelson Mandela… “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Education is the key to eliminating gender inequality, to reducing poverty, to creating a sustainable planet, to preventing needless deaths and illness, and to fostering peace…” Hence the importance of the theme of this summit ‘to transform education.”

PM Sogavare updated the summit that like any other countries, Solomon Islands was greatly affected by the COVID- 19 pandemic and schools were closed during the height of the pandemic.

He told the summit that the country addresses the closure of schools with offering of classes via radio broadcasts.

“…our Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development continued its efforts to deliver a ‘skeleton education program’ during the pandemic through ‘sporadic education broadcasts’ during the period of closure,” the Prime Minister stated.

PM Sogavare informed the ‘to transform education’ summit that Solomon Islands only returned to full interactive classroom education in June, less than one year since the compulsory closure of all education institutions in the country.

He also reaffirmed that country’s delivery of education is embedded in the vision carried by our ‘Education Strategic Framework 2016- 2030’ which states “…all Solomon Islanders will develop as individuals and possess the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to earn a living and to live in harmony with others and their environment. We envisage a united and progressive society in which all can live in peace and harmony with fair and equitable opportunities for a better life. Parents and members of the community develop a sense of ownership of all educational institutions.”

The Prime Minister further reaffirmed that the country’s long term strategic education framework is delivered through respective 5 years ‘National Education Plans’ which each have an emphasis on better education management system, access and inclusion in education for all children.

PM Sogavare also highlighted that the National Education Plans also address the support for teachers in terms of resources and trainings needed to provide quality and relevant learning support for children.

OPMC PRESS