THE new ‘Education Act 2023’ embraces a new vision for the next generation of education.
That’s according to the Minister for the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) Honourable Lanelle Tanangada when delivering her keynote address during the celebration of the Act at Pacific Crown Hotel on Wednesday.
“The Education Act 2023 embraces a new vision and direction to advance the education sector, build capacity, and empower our future leaders.
“This new legislation is our very own growth statute for the next generation of education,” she said.
The Member of Parliament for Gizo/Kolombangara said the new Education Act provides clarity for those who administer education and all those who together, hand in hand, support our system.
Speaking highly of this Act, she said the Education Act 2023 provides us all with a contemporary framework from which to develop our education system to continue to improve access to quality and management of early childhood, primary and secondary education and the teaching profession.
Education partners and stakeholders are encouraged by Hon Tanangada to positively participate in the implementation of this Act in the months and years to come.
“As partners in education – all key education stakeholders – all of us and not only the staff of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development should be committed to working together in the months and years ahead, to implement the Education Legislative Framework, and to reform the education system, in order to improve access to quality education for all Solomon Islands Children and advance standards for teachers and school management,” she stated.
The Act was passed by Parliament on October 12th and is now more than two weeks old.
This new Act will guide education in the country into the future.
The work on the education reform wasn’t that easy, it took eight years after the publication of the White Paper, after ongoing years of consultation, debate and finally the Act came into existence.
The White Paper was created by an esteemed group of Solomon Islanders who began the review of the education system way back in 2013.
The White Paper was published describing an agenda for change and development within the education sector.
Australia and the New Zealand Government have provided financial support to the formation of this important Education Act 2023.
They have assured MEHRD and the Solomon Islands Government on Wednesday that they will continue to support the education sector and other sectors in the country.
This is part of their bilateral partnerships with Solomon Islands over the years and will still continue into the future.
By LACHLAN EDDIE HOE
Solomon Star, Honiara
