Goldie College National Secondary School in Western Province now has a new boys’ dormitory, valued at SBD1.8 million, thanks to the partnership between the governments of Australia, New Zealand and Solomon Islands through the Education Sector Support Program (ESSP).

The education infrastructure was officially handed over to the national secondary school by Minister of Education Tozen Leokana along with Dr Tristan Armstrong, Counsellor for Human Development from the Australian High Commission to Solomon Islands and Olivia Benton-Guy, First Secretary at the New Zealand High Commission to Solomon Islands during a handover ceremony at Goldie College on Tuesday, 12 November 2024.

The new double-story dormitory will provide safe, secure, and clean accommodation for up to 50 boys attending Form One at Goldie College, fostering a quality learning environment for the students and empowering them to reach their full potential.

Speaking during the handover, Minister of Education Tozen Leokana acknowledged the governments and the people of Australia and New Zealand for their continuous generosity and support to the education sector in Solomon Islands through the ESSP partnership.

“The completion of such school infrastructure is a reflection of the collaborative approach between the Governments of Australia, New Zealand and Solomon Islands to increase access to education and providing conducive environment for the students,” Tozen said.

_{Warriors getting ready to welcome the high-level delegate arriving at Goldie College for the handover of the new boys’ dormitory.}

“It is a testament of help to a friend in need. This project and many others that the Governments of Australia and New Zealand and Solomon Islands has worked hand in hand on is about transforming education and ensuring that all children receive the best learning they can which is at the heart of my ministry,’’ he added.

Dr Tristan Armstrong, Counsellor of Human Development for the Australia High Commission to Solomon Islands, highlighted that increasing access to education through improved school infrastructure, especially for rural communities, is a priority.

“Since ESSP started in 2021, Australia and New Zealand have supported 28 schools including construction of 40 infrastructure projects as well as providing SBD$60 million to the education sector. This investment has made tangible improvements in the lives of thousands of school students across the country,” Armstrong said.

“Dormitories are critical education infrastructure for schools. They are more than just buildings. 

“They are a home away from home and a place where lifelong memories are made. 

“They are a long-term resource for current and future students. We know that education is the foundation that builds critical knowledge and skills, transforming communities and shaping the future of this country.

“Australia has a strong commitment to work more closely with Solomon Islands in the education sector today, tomorrow and into the future,” he said.

Olivia Benton-Guy, First Secretary at the New Zealand High Commission, reaffirmed New Zealand’s ongoing commitment to supporting quality and inclusive education across Solomon Islands.

“It is an honour to come here at the Goldie College to celebrate the handover of this new boys’ dormitory,” Benton-Guy said.

“New Zealand has a long-standing support for education in Solomon Islands and this connection remains important to this present day. I’m pleased to note that New Zealand had previously supported solar lighting for the College.

“New Zealand is happy to support education in Solomon Islands and will continue into the future with our commitment to provide equal opportunity in education for both boys and girls.

We believe education is key to the country’s future which has the potential to set up communities for success,” she said.

Goldie College Principal, Deidre Zeke Piko was very happy with the development and thanked the Australia and New Zealand Governments for choosing Goldie College as a recipient of the much-needed school infrastructure.

With the addition of the new boys’ dormitory, Goldie College now has six dormitories and is able to provide accommodation for 600 students from communities and islands around Western Province and other provinces in the country.

“The College really needs help with accommodation for our students as the state of our current dormitories are not up to standard,” Piko said.

“That is why we are very happy with this new double-story dormitory for our Form One boys,” she added.

“We acknowledge Australia and New Zealand for their partnership with us to provide a friendly and safe accommodation for our students and in the process investing in their academic pursuit.”

The governments of Solomon Islands, Australia New Zealand, through ESSP,  continue to work together to improve access to quality basic education for all children in Solomon Islands.