Honiara High School on Thursday this week, held its graduation and prize giving ceremony for forms five, six and seven students at the school assembly hall.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, School Principal, Mr Allen Ketei congratulated the graduating students for their achievement, and stated it is another significant step in their education.
More than 700 students of forms five, six and seven have received their certificates during the graduation ceremony, with the theme “Success through Adversity”.
Principal Ketei said the graduation theme is an appropriate one as the school reflects on the global and local challenges of the present time and how much it has affected everyone.
He stated by way of defining the word Adversity, according to word power –oxford dictionary; “Adversity “means to face a difficult and challenging situation. The next word, success means achieving something you are trying to get.
He said in the context of the graduands adversity means- the daily time they spend to attend school, self-discipline, doing their homework and assignments earnestly, listening to teachers and parents, feeling hungry and discomfort, losing love ones and the list goes on.
“To parents and guardians, adversity in education means- the endless commitment and support in- paying school fees, attending the daily cost of their children’s education, discipline children on what they learn, monitor their performance by way of collecting termly or academic results and having more consultation with teachers on students’ performances and so on.
“To teachers adversity means to deliver the best to the students in terms daily instruction of the intended curriculum, using varieties of teaching methods or pedagogy, student centeredness, allowing quality assessment, prioritizing students’ academic needs, close monitoring of students’ performance and the discipline of their students every schooling days,” Mr Ketei said.
He added equally more important the current adversity has put the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) and Honiara City Council (HCC) Education Authority in a very straining situation where much their invested money to support schools to achieve quality education as well as practically support the teachers or facilitators to achieve better working conditions.
“On a wider scope, the Covid-19 pandemic – has put us together- including MEHRD, HCC EA in a new adversity that we haven’t experienced in the past. That makes the situation more straining and wisdom demanding,” Ketei said.
The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, Director, Teaching Service, Mr Mathias Kutai said he is honoured to attend the school’s graduation.
Speaking on the theme, Mr Kutai said ‘Success through Adversity’ highlights the need for resilience in the country’s education system which requires holistic and sustainable approach to achieving success during these trying times.
He added the current global pandemic has had adverse impact on the country’s system, it has adverse impact on schools and so very recently the country went into closer of schools just because of the danger and the threat that the pandemic is causing.
However, he thanked the government and their national committee for their due diligence and their decision making in ensuring that Solomon Islands remain safe from the current pandemic which is causing a lot of issues throughout the world today.
By ESTHER NURIA
Newsroom, Honiara
