THERE are confusions in the Western Province as to the right date for the commencement of the 2023 academic year.
After the late start of the 2022 academic year in June due to COVID-19, the Ministry of Education and Human Resource (MEHRD) had stated that all schools nationwide will begin the 2023 Academic Year on Monday 9 January.
This means all students and teachers will only have two weeks of break after the conclusion of the 2022 academic on Friday 23rd of December.
At the closing of the 2022 academic year, some of the schools in the province incorrectly informed their students that the 2023 academic year would commence on Monday 9January. Other schools rightly informed their students that Monday 23 January is the commencement date for the 2023 academic year.
Reports said the confusion arose because the schools in the remote parts of the province were not formally informed by their respective Education Authorities about the MEHRD-endorsed date for the commencement of the 2023 academic year.
In early December 2022, upon its release of the revised school calendar, MEHRD announced that all classes will commence for the 2023 academic year on Monday 23January.
MEHRD explained that the 2023 National School Calendar will only run for three terms, ending on Friday 27 October.
MEHRD explained that the change is necessitated by the upcoming 2023 Pacific Games in November.
It is understood that a number of schools in Honiara will be used as games villages and games venues.
Furthermore, a lot of students will take part in the games as athletes and also as volunteers at the various sporting venues.
The 2023 Pacific Games that will begin on November 19 and end on December 2.
“As schools look forward to having their end of year holidays, be informed that the 2023 school academic year starts on the 23rd of January.
“More importantly, the 2023 school calendar will only run for 3 terms, ending on Friday 27th October 2023 as the Pacific Games 2023 will begin on 19th November until 2nd December 2023.” the statement from MEHRD stated.
According to the 2023 school calendar, Term One will run for 13 weeks and will begin on Monday 23 January and end on Friday 21 April.
Term two will also run for another 13 weeks. It will commence on Monday 1st May and conclude on Friday 28 July. Then there will be a four-week break.
Term three will run for only nine weeks. It will start on Monday 28 August and end on Friday 27 October. Then there will be a 11 week break till the commencement of the 2024 academic year on Monday 15 January.
A parent told Solomon Star that it seems there were some confusions over the commencement of the 2023 academic year.
Thus, the parent said it is important for MEHRD through the Education Authorities to formally inform their schools and teachers about the revised school calendar.
By MOFFAT MAMU
