PM shown samples of new e-passport

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare and the Minister for Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration Elijah Doromuala were on Friday shown samples of Solomon Islands electronic passports and given a demo on how electronic passports are produced by the IRIS Group contracted to produce electronic passports for the country. The IRIS Group is a Malaysian company, which…

New schools established

THE Ministry of Education and Human Resources has created another 34 schools to accommodate an estimated 630 students this year. This includes 18 schools to accommodate Form 1, 10 schools for Form 4 and six schools for Form 6. Director of Teaching and Learning Department, Linda Wate said this will create more spaces to accommodate…

Gov’t approves more scholarships

THE Government approved additional pre-service and in-service scholarships that will cater for more than 300 students who missed out in the initial awards due to lack of funding. The decision will ensure more Solomon Islanders undertake tertiary studies at the Solomon Islands National University and Pacific regional institutions. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare made the announcement…

New report: need to address inequality

A NEW report published by the Equal Rights Trust exposes the extent of discrimination and inequality experienced by groups including women; persons with disabilities; lesbian, gay and bisexual persons; and persons living with HIV in Solomon Islands. Stand Up and Fight: Addressing Discrimination and Inequality in Solomon Islands also concludes that a tendency for people…

Big drop out

Only few students make it to form 7 due to lack of space ONLY 663 students of the 2,875 who sat for the Solomon Islands National Form Six Certificate exams last year are able to make it to form 7 this year. The other 2,212 students dropped out due to lack of space. Director of…

Stop the feel good politics

Dr Sikua says he is duty bound to speak out THE Leader of Independent Group, Dr Derek Sikua said he was astounded at the Prime Minister’s attacking response in The Solomon Star, Monday. Manasseh Sogavare described Dr Sikua as ‘irresponsible and power hungry’ in a response to Dr Sikua’s press statement late last week on…

East Honiara, a role model

EAST Honiara Outskirts Settlement Community Policing Law Association (EHOSCPLA) has set an example for other chief’s bodies existing in other community settlements in Honiara city. Assistance commissioner for Honiara community policing association, Gabriel Manelusi said the success of the Gilbert Camp community policing association is a shining example, other communities should adopt. “I want to…