A MILESTONE “Environmental Speech Contest” was conducted for Primary School students at Pusiju village on Vella La Vella Island in the Western Province on Tuesday.
The event was organized by the Sirubai Voko Tribe Association (SVTA) with support from Pacific-Community-SPC Locally Marine Managed Area (LMMA) Phase One grant.
The eight primary schools of Maravari, Eleoteve, Kolokolo, Beiporo, Lambu Lambu, Valapata, Sibila and Karokesa participated in the event.
Each of these schools were represented by two students who participated in the two speech categories – Junior (Grades 2-4) and Senior (Grades 5-6).
In his opening remark, SVTA Chair Solomon Tovakera highlighted the importance of hosting the activity in rural schools to build positive morale and confidence in children.
New Zealand Volunteer Adviser who works in the Environment Division of the Western Provincial Government, Ms Kristine expressed her amazement at the level of research done by the children.
She noted that there is no mobile reception in most villages but the students were able to pull out amazing information on the topic of their speeches.
The newly elected President of the Western Province Tourism Association, Pana Paza was one of the official guests on the trip and had the privilege of joining the judging panel for a speech contest.
The speakers came up with very inspiring messages that even the judges found it difficult to decide the winners of the two categories.
The teachers, children and parents alike highly recommended that such speech contest become an annual event to be supported by the Western Provincial Government and its stakeholders for rural schools.
The Deputy Headmaster of Sibila Primary School, Dexter Lilo also recommended the inclusion of secondary school students in the next competition.
The Headmaster of Valapata Primary School, Ken Riqeo acknowledged the donor SPC LMMA Grant and its implementing partner Sirubai Voko tribe Association (SVTA) and the local Non-Government Organization – Indigenous People for Sustainable Biodiversity Solomon Islands – for hosting the event.
Headteacher of Lambu Lambu Primary School, Mrs Louser Pagepitu recommended similar activities for youths such as an Environment Music Competition, which is the next upcoming activity to be implemented by SVTA.
One of the speakers specifically requested the hosting of a World Environment Day program in Ward 8 in 2025 and suggested the program to include activities for children, youths, women and people with special needs.
The speaker said for too long, such events have been centralized in the urban centers, denying the rural population the opportunity to participate in activities such as information-sharing.
Western Provincial Government Environment Officer Mrs Jullie Misimake had the chance to demonstrate fruit planning and share seedlings with children and teachers to plant in their community.
This was part of the Western Provincial Government’s advocacy on sustainable environmental management program to rural communities.
In a closing remark, Mrs Jennifer Kaniki of SVTA acknowledged the participating schools for the time and effort spent in the activity and assured them that SVTA will continue to support similar activities with the support of its donor partners such as the European Union, Sweden Sverige through SPC and the Marine Managed Area network.
Mrs Kaniki said making sound decisions on natural resources is everybody’s business and therefore SVTA therefore must continue to engage young people in its activities to insert the right mindset in them at the early stage.
By Henry Kaniki
SVTA
