THE governments of Solomon Islands, Australia and New Zealand have handed over a new girls’ dormitory and ablution block for Tabaka Rural Training Centre in New Georgia, Western Province, marking a significant development for the school.
Valued at SBD 2.6 million, the education infrastructure was successfully built and completed by local contractor Kii and Sons Constructions, offering accommodation for female students and a new ablution block to improve the school’s water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities.
A total of 184 students, which includes 91 female students, and 11 teachers and six support staff will benefit from this new infrastructure, providing a safe and clean learning environment that fosters collaboration and supports the development of students.
A handover ceremony was held at the school on Monday 11 November 2024 attended by representatives from the Government for National Unity and Transformation, MEHRD, the Australian High Commission, the New Zealand High Commission, and the school community.
Special guest at the handover ceremony was Australia’s visiting Ambassador for Gender Equality, Ms Stephanie Copus Campbell who witnessed firsthand the impact of this partnership in education.
Speaking during the handover, Minister of Education Hon. Tozen Leokana acknowledged the Governments of Australia and New Zealand for their generous support through the Education Sector Support Program (ESSP) in enabling the construction of these vital infrastructure which will create a better learning environment for students at the Rural Training Centre.
“Education continues to be a major focus for Australia and New Zealand development cooperation with the Solomon Islands. The Australian, New Zealand and Solomon Islands Governments continue to promote inclusive and accessible education for all children in the country.
“Solomon Islands and Australia and New Zealand share deep and distinctive partnership, underpinned by long-standing and consistent engagement and mutual respect,” Minister Leokana said.
His Excellency Jonathan Schwass, New Zealand High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, highlighted the important role rural training centres play in the economic development of Solomon Islands saying New Zealand is always willing to support efforts to build appropriate skilled workforce for the country.
“New Zealand has a long-standing support for education in Solomon Islands, particularly in vocational training in Solomon Islands.
“We have an important partnership with the Solomon Islands Association of Vocational and Rural Training Centres.
“Vocational training and skills development is vital in providing pathway from schools into work and livelihood.
“New Zealand have already made a commitment to continue providing support for the education sector going into the future and we are committed to provide equal opportunity in education for both girls and boys.
“And the facilities we handed over today is one important part of this commitment,” High Commissioner Schwass said.
Ms Stephanie Copus Campbell, Australia’s visiting Ambassador for Gender Equality was excited to witness the completion of these new education infrastructure for the school.
“Australia is proud to have funded construction of the girls’ dormitory, we are committed to ensuring girls have equal access to education and employment opportunities.
“Initiatives such as this help to remove barriers to girls accessing education and employment opportunities, by providing secure, safe, and appropriate places for female students to live while undertaking training.
“This girls’ dormitory will allow more girls to focus on their vocational studies,” Ms Copus Campbell said.
Tabaka RTC Principal, Joash Lawrence expressed his gratitude to the Solomon Islands, Australian and New Zealand Governments for the quality education infrastructure been delivered for the school.
“These standard facilities will definitely support the learning of our students and will help in preparing them to meet the required standard of delivery for accredited TVET courses in Solomon Islands.
“With these new facilities we hope to attract more female students to enrol with us and we wish to thank Australia and New Zealand for partnering with Solomon Islands Government and considering Tabaka RTC for such vital education infrastructure development,” Mr Lawrence said.
The project was completed under ESSP, a collaborative initiative between the governments of the Solomon Islands, Australia, and New Zealand, which aims to improve access to quality education for all Solomon Islands children.
