An inquiry into teacher absenteeism in primary, secondary and tertiary education institutions will start soon.

Chairman of a Parliamentary Education and Human Resources Training Committee, Peter Shanel confirmed this at a press conference in Honiara today.

He says the inquiry will conduct public hearings to collect information from all stakeholders in the education sector in Solomon Islands.

The Parliamentary Committee chair says his team expects to visit all nine provinces to ensure information gathered through the inquiry is a well informed one.

Mr Shanel says the committee will commence it's public hearing this week in Lata, Temotu Province and Kirakira on Makira.

He says the committee expects the inquiry to conclude by the end of this year.

Meanwhile the Secretary General of the Solomon Islands National Teachers Association (SINTA) Johnly Hatimoana has congratulated the government for "recognizing an issue that has long plagued the teaching service."

Mr Hatimoana says that such an inquiry would give the government a clear picture of some of the key issues that have been raised by SINTA over the years. He says the establishment of the committee is a clear signal of governments seriousness which is good for the teaching service.