BY MORRIS NAFU
The South Guadalcanal Constituency has officially handed over Starlink internet equipment to schools hosting the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Centre for Distance Flexible Learning (DFL) in the Southern Region of Guadalcanal, reinforcing its commitment to improving access to tertiary education through digital learning.
The handover supports three schools across the constituency that are playing host to the SINU DFL programme. These include Veramoho Community School in the central region, which will serve as the main hub of the programme, Chapuria in the western end, and Laloato Community High School in the eastern end of the constituency.
The Starlink equipment, which has been donated by the South Guadalcanal Constituency, will serve as standby connectivity infrastructure to ensure continuity of learning.
In the event that regular network services experience disruptions, the Starlink systems will allow the DFL centres to continue operating without interruption.
Reliable internet access is critical to the success of the DFL programme, which depends heavily on online learning platforms and digital services.
The handover ceremony was officiated by the Member of Parliament for South Guadalcanal, Rollen Seleso, who presented the equipment to the principals of two of the hosting schools.
The event was witnessed by members of the South Guadalcanal Constituency Education Team.
The establishment of the Distance Flexible Learning centres is part of a strategic partnership between Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and the South Guadalcanal Constituency, aimed at decentralising higher education and bringing learning opportunities closer to communities.
Through this partnership, students from South Guadalcanal will be able to enrol in SINU programmes and access lectures, tutorials, and assessments without having to relocate to Honiara.
The centres will provide designated learning spaces, internet connectivity, and academic support, making tertiary education more accessible, affordable, and inclusive.
Construction and development works for the DFL centres at the hosting schools are currently ongoing.
The partnership aims to have the centres completed, officially handed over, and fully operational by March this year.
Seleso reaffirmed the constituency’s commitment to supporting education initiatives that empower young people and strengthen human resource development in South Guadalcanal.
He highlighted that investments in digital infrastructure, such as the provision of Starlink equipment, are essential to ensuring that students in rural and remote areas are not left behind.
The South Guadalcanal Constituency, in collaboration with SINU and school administrations, remains committed to ensuring the successful implementation and sustainability of the Distance Flexible Learning programme across the Southern Region of Guadalcanal.