BY NED GAGAHE
A three-day Teacher Training Workshop organized by the Civic Education Unit (PCEU) of the Parliamentary Public Engagement and Communication Department is currently underway at Luelta Resort in Lata, bringing together teachers from various schools across Temotu Province.
The training aims to boost the knowledge of educators particularly Social Science teachers on key aspects of the National Parliament, including its structure and functions, the principle of separation of powers and the roles of parliamentary committees.
Central to the workshop is the Parliamentary Resource Book, an educational tool developed to support the teaching of civic education in classrooms across the Solomon Islands.
In a statement Chief Education Officer of the Temotu Province Education Authority, Allen Steward, warmly welcomed the initiative and commended Parliament for bringing the training to Temotu.
“I would like to frame this training under the theme: Empowering Educators for a Stronger Civic Education,” said Mr Steward.
He added that the workshop would fill important gaps in the current curriculum and improve students’ understanding of how Parliament operates.
“Make this training a great success so that our children understand how Parliament works. This is an investment in the future. Share what you’ve learned here with fellow teachers and your students,” he encouraged the participants.
Acting Director of the Parliamentary Civic Education Unit, Alex Seama, also expressed his appreciation to the educators in attendance many of whom travelled from remote parts of the province.
He also acknowledged the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for its continued partnership.
Seama said the importance of spreading civic knowledge to the wider population, noting that an estimated 70 to 75 percent of Solomon Islanders still lack a clear understanding of Parliament’s role and functions.
“The Parliamentary Resource Books were developed especially for our young people particularly secondary school students as supplementary materials that align with the school curriculum,” he said.
The workshop includes interactive presentations, discussions and practical classroom strategies aimed at equipping teachers with both the knowledge and skills needed to effectively deliver civic education.
This training is part of Parliament’s long-term effort to promote civic awareness through the education system.
Since 2010, Parliament has been developing civic education materials and in 2021, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) officially incorporated these resources into the national curriculum.
Three civic education resource booklets tailored for both teachers and students have since been published and distributed to all secondary schools across the country.
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