BY SAMIE WAIKORI
The Atu-led government of Guadalcanal province is making progress in paying the remaining $2.2 million outstanding debt to the Solomon Islands National University (SINU).
The debt accumulated since 2019, and so far $400,000 has been paid with another $1.4 million allocated to settle part of the remaining $2.2 million this year.
Premier William Atu mentioned this in a recent statement, in which he highlights the commitment of his government to address the matter.
“We are actively addressing our outstanding debt to the Solomon Island National University.
“Since 2019, under the Sade government’s leadership, $400,000 has been paid and this year we have allocated 1.4 million to settle the remaining $2.2 million.
“We start to pay it off. Our education division is working closely with SINU to verify the list of authorised sponsored students,” he said.
The premier also conveyed a sincere apology on behalf of the province to students who were affected from the delay of the in settling debt and thanks them for their patience.
He also encourages them and those studying at USP campus to remain committed to their studies as his government deals with the matter.
In the statement, the Premier also sheds light on the achievements and challenges the province is facing in terms of education.
“Education is a very strategic priority and Guadalcanal province has signed a milestone agreement with the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD).
“I have the pleasure to also inform you that Guadalcanal province is the first to implement the Education Act 2023, through an agency agreement with the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, last month.
“The agreement gives us control over early childhood, primary and secondary education and other services for our teachers, with the provincial secretary, as the ultimate education provider for the province,” he said.
However, Atu urges the province to continue to do more. The current number of teachers in Guadalcanal province is 180 with almost 38,000 students.
“This means that the current teacher-student ratio is unsustainable. One teacher to every 210 students. While the ratio should be one teacher is to 35 students,” he said.
Atu added that another issue of concern is that only 25 percent of Guadalcanal province’s population under the age of 25 are in the education system.
He stated that his government has set a goal to increase this to 50% in the next five to 10 years.
Atu said to achieve this, the province must build more classrooms, train more teachers, prioritise science, technology, engineering and mathematics in education to prepare its children for the future.
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