THE new Education Act of 2023 has come into force on Monday last week – 1 January.
This followed its assent by the Governor General Sir David Vunagi and signing by the Minister of Education and Human Resources Development Lanelle Tanangada on 14 December 2023.
The commencement date of the Education Act 2023 is published in Legal Notice No. 85 of 2023, a statement issued by the Ministry of Education & Human Resource Development (MEHRD) last Friday said.
This means that the Education Act comes into effect on 1 January 2024, replacing the Education Act of 1978 (CAP 69).
MEHRD said, “the commencement of the Act marks a landmark achievement for the country, addressing the administration and regulation of Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary Education.
“This includes provisions for the registration of teachers, education providers, schools and early childhood education centres, thereby repealing the Education Act (CAP.69) and addressing related purposes.
“The achievement is historic for the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) through MEHRD.”
MEHRD said the Education Bill project commenced in 2014 with a review and countrywide consultations on the Education Act of 1978.
“The drafting of the Education Bill was guided by the Education White Paper, which Parliament passed in August 2015.
“The Education White Paper provided the drafting policy for the new Education Act of 2023,” it said.
MEHRD said the new Act grants powers to the Minister and Permanent Secretary to administer the implementation of the Act and subordinate documents. These include Education Regulations, Funding Code, Education Learning Framework, and Administrative Instructions.
It said the provisions cover various aspects, such as Provincial Education Coordination, Education Providers, School Boards and School Communities, Schools, Early Childhood Education Centres, Teachers and Leaders and Forms.
MEHRD said whilst it acknowledges the commencement of the Act, not every provision will be enacted on the commencement date.
“An implementation plan devised by the Education Legislative Framework-Technical Working Group (ELF TWG) will guide the Ministry on what provisions get implemented sequentially,” it added.
Key features of the Education Act include:
- Fostering an understanding and critical appreciation of moral, spiritual, religious, social, and cultural values shaping Solomon Islands society;
- Promoting cultures, customs, values, and attitudes fostering societal harmony and positive outcomes;
- Nurturing a sense of personal identity, self-esteem, and awareness of one’s abilities, aptitudes and limitations;
- Promoting equal educational opportunity for all, addressing economic, social, physical and mental factors hindering potential development;
- Developing intellectual skills, a spirit of inquiry, and the capacity to analyze issues critically and constructively;
- Fostering a spirit of self-reliance, innovation, initiative and imagination;
- Providing students with the necessary education to support the country’s economic development and enable effective societal contributions;
- Creating tolerant, responsible, caring and politically-aware citizens who understand their rights and responsibilities; and
- Ensuring young Solomon Islanders acquire a keen awareness of their national heritage, identity and respect and care for the environment.
Meanwhile, MEHRD acknowledged the governments of Australia and New Zealand for their continuous financial support under the Education Sector Support Program (ESSP) towards the education reform program which led to the commencement of the Act.
(MEHRD/SOLSTAR)
