Australia has committed SBD 29 million dollars to 40 schools across the Solomon islands, visiting Australia’s Foreign Minister, Senator Hon Penny Wong, announced today.
She said Australia will be providing “critical education infrastructure” across the country.
“We are investing SBD 29 million dollars in Solomon Islands, through the education system, providing critical education infrastructures to 40 schools across the nine provinces.” she said.
Part of the investment is the handing over of a SBD 1.5 million dollar laboratory to Mbokona school in West Honiara.
Official handing over of the new secice laboratory at Mbokona school today\ Credits: Charley Piringi
“Another announcement is that Australia has supported UNICEF to rollout water and sanitation projects to 30 schools in Russell Islands.” Visiting Australia Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced.
Minister for education and Human Resources development Hon Tozen Leokana during the handing over ceremony said, GNUT is grateful to the assistance provided because our collective investment in the education sector and innovation through technical support to my ministry have driven positive progress and future advancements.
“We appreciate your enduring commitment to ensuring we improve access to education in order to create a better future for our young people and country.”he stated in his remarks today.”
He highlighted the importance of the newly built Mbokona school science laboratory, co-funded by the Australian and New Zealand governments.
New Zealand High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Jonathan Schwass with Mbokona students in the new lab doing experiment| Credits: Charley Piringi
“The handing over of the school science laboratory, which we are witnessing now is a reflection of a collaborative approach our three governments (the Governments of Australia, New Zealand and Solomon Islands) have taken to increase access to education as well as our leaders’ commitment – to provide conducive learning environments for the Solomon Islands children.”
Senator Wong further announced a funding of 494 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scholarships to equip Solomon Islanders with the skills and qualifications they need to get jobs, at home in Solomon Islands and abroad.
She said, “Australia has helped to create more than 14,700 jobs through its development partnership with Solomon Islands, including through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.”
PALM Sceme worker ready for deployment to Australia\Credit: Charley Piringi
Minister Wong was joined by Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon Peter Shanel, and Minister of Education and Human Resource Development, Hon Tozen Leokana at the event.
Australia’s support for the 494 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scholarships for Solomon Islanders recognises of the importance of skills training for economic development.
“These scholarships will provide Solomon Islanders with fully funded qualifications that equip them with work-ready skills and experience in sectors such as construction, tourism, hospitality and agribusiness, to boost job readiness and grow the Solomon Islands economy,” Minister Wong said.
The TVET Awards scholarships are in addition to Australia’s long-standing skills program, the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC), which has trained over 2,566 graduates in Rural Training Centres in Guadalcanal, Malaita, Western and Isabel Provinces.
The visiting Australian Foreign Minister left the country today after her two days visit.
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