The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) recently held its Annual Joint Review (AJR) with the theme “Transforming Education: our shared responsibility is to create a future for our children and country.” The two-day event took place on June 28 and 29 and brought together approximately 120 participants representing MEHRD Education Partners and Stakeholders, including Education Authorities, Key Government Ministries, Non-Government Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, training institutions, and MEHRD officials.
As the mandated Ministry responsible for delivering education in Solomon Islands, MEHRD recognizes that providing quality education to all children is a collective effort. The AJR served as a platform for MEHRD and its education partners and stakeholders to assess the progress of the education sector and identify challenges and opportunities to achieve the goals outlined in the National Education Action Plan 2022–2026.
The discussions during the two-day event centered around three key areas: (1) Access and Inclusion, (2) Quality and Relevance, and (3) Management and Systems. Additionally, updates were provided on the status of major reforms in the education system through new education legislation and an Education Legislative Framework (ELF).
During his opening speech, MEHRD Permanent Secretary (PS) Dr. Franco Rodie shared the news that the Education Bill 2023 had received Cabinet endorsement and would be presented to the Bills and Legislation Committee of Parliament, with subsequent consideration by Parliament when it resumes its meeting in July. This development marks a significant step toward enacting the Education Bill into law. PS Rodie also emphasized that the 2023 AJR allowed for a review of MEHRD’s progress over the past year and laid the groundwork for the implementation of the new Education Bill.
MEHRD maintains strong collaborative relationships with its Education Partners and Stakeholders. At the AJR, representatives of key education stakeholders engaged in valuable discussions, providing reflections and contributions regarding MEHRD’s performance and the challenges faced during the previous year. These inputs will be taken into account during the drafting of MEHRD’s 2024 Annual Work Plan.
On the second day of the AJR, the Minister of Education and Human Resources Development, Honourable Lanelle Tanangada, MP, officially launched new curriculum resources for English and Mathematics, as well as the Whole Educator Professional Development Framework (WEPD). Developed over the past two years, the WEPD outlines a long-term policy direction for the continuous professional learning and development of teachers and school leaders in Solomon Islands.
The AJR received support from the Governments of Solomon Islands, Australia, and New Zealand through the Solomon Islands Education Sector Support Program. This program aims to enhance access to quality basic education for all children in Solomon Islands.
Source: ESSP
