By Loretta B Manele

New Zealand is set to launch a new education partnership with Solomon Islands this year.

Rebecca Williams, acting New Zealand high commissioner made the announcement while speaking at a function marking the end of ESSP (Education Sector Support Programme) at Mendana Hotel on Wednesday last week.

ESSP was a partnership between Solomon Islands, Australia and New Zealand.

She expressed that their support for ESSP in the country has come to an end, however as a committed partner to Solomon Islands in the education sector, they intend to launch a new Solomon Islands and New Zealand education partnership this year.

Williams said that through this partnership, they will provide an on-system budget to support the ministry of education on agreed areas.

She said they will support work for the implementation of the Education Act 2023 and ensure that education providers and schools have the resources and capacity they need to fulfill their role in delivering high quality education.

“This involves strengthening teacher management and welfare of teachers so they can improve their work and be ready to share their knowledge with the next generation.”

Another objective of this partnership as stated is to support the work of the education ministry in terms of data management to understand the needs of students and teachers in every village so as to make good allocation of resources.

Williams emphasized that strengthening sector coordination to make investments with development partners and agencies across Solomon Islands must also involve work collaboration.

She voiced that this is very important and it is not just about the opening of a new classroom or delivering new school books but about delivering effective education that will remain for a long time in Solomon Islands.

Williams stressed that it is also to ensure that we have foundation; a place where a child is able to access quality basic education.

She said today, Solomon Island students are achieving above average rates in the region for literacy and numeracy.

“This achievement is something that the education ministry, teachers, parents and every student in Solomon Islands must be proud of.”

However, Williams also pointed out that there is still a long way to go and that it is involves work to remove barries to ensure that children in Solomon Islands complete their education, teachers have the tools they need inside the classroom and that schools are provided with the resources they need.

She also took the opportunity to thank everyone who was involved in ESSP.

“To the minister, congratulations for your astonishing achievements under this partnership and thank you very much for your excellent working relationship we have fostered over the years.

To Australian colleagues, thank you for the opportunity to collaborate and for your commitment to best practice development principles.”

“To the ESSP programme management team, thank you for your hard work and unwavering dedication for supporting the programme over the last five years.

To partner organisations, thank you for the contribution you have made to the programme and sharing your expertise across a range of activities.”

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