Solomon Islands Government Pledges Significant Budget for Education

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare pledged significant
budget for Education. 

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Manasseh Sogavare has pledged the Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) Government’s commitment to maintain 20 percent of the total annual budget for the education sector in the next four years.

Mr Sogavare made the pledge in his keynote address at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) graduation ceremony last Friday which saw hundreds of students graduating in various fields.

Over the years, successive Governments have continued to invest highly in the country’s education sector, with support from development partners since the start of a government reform program in the education sector.

The Government investment is reflected in the Ministry of Education’s annual budget which is around 20% of the total budget.

“The DCC Government would like to maintain this level of commitment in the education sector over the next four years,” Mr Sogavare said.

Speaking on the theme “empowered to make a difference”, Mr Sogavare said the DCC Government is determined to bring about positive changes through effective reform programmes to ensure Solomon Islanders are governed and empowered to achieve a meaningful quality of life.

The Prime Minister said the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) being the apex of formal education in Solomon Islands must contribute in this ambitious but realistic endeavour.

“And in sharing that burden and commitment, the DCC Government will continue to assist the National University through budget support over the next four years,” Mr Sogavare said.

From the Government’s perspective, education should be perceived by all leaders as an essential tool for change and progress in our country.

“Only then can we become more conscious of our roles and responsibilities to drive educational development to new heights in Solomon Islands,” Mr Sogavare said.

He said education in our country is a nationwide commitment and undertaking that involves multiple stakeholders - the Government, rural peoples and communities, non- government organizations, churches and private interest groups and our development partners both bilateral and multilateral institutions.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said the Government recognizes that in order for the collective partnership to work effectively, the Government is more than prepared to provide the necessary political leadership this country needs, to continue to reform, and if necessary, overhaul and transform our nation’s education system so that its institutions and infrastructure are the initial steps in the long process of the reform program.

A copy of the Prime Minister’s speech can be found on the OPMC website at www.pmc.gov.sb under shared documents.

Source: Press Release, Government Communications Unit