BY INDY MAEALASIA

Guadalcanal Provincial Government (GPG) has become the first province to formally sign an agency agreement with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) to implement the Education Act 2023.

The agreement signed on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at the Honiara Hotel, formalises the partnership between the two parties and marks a major step in decentralising education governance in the country.

Minister for Education, Tozen Leokana said the agreement is a step forward; realizing the vision of decentralisation and inclusive governance and bringing decision-making and support closer to the schools, children and communities.

Under this agreement, the province is given a greater authority in planning and managing its education system, while still being aligned to MEHRD’s national goals, policies and the new act.

“It empowers the Guadalcanal provincial government to make decisions on educational matters that are timely, protocol-specific and based on realities on the ground,” Minister Leokana said.

Speaking to Island Sun, Provincial Education Minister, John Botsi said with the agreement, the provincial government is setting up an additional body to ensure the smooth implementation of the act.

Botsi described the signing as a “new chapter in the history of education”. 

“We are simply repealing the old act so in a way, we are saying good bye to the old act and welcoming the new act,” Botsi said.

The signing ceremony was attended by officials from the MEHRD, GPG and representatives of Education providers and schools.

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