Australia will contribute up to 48 million dollars to Solomon Islands under the new direct funding arrangement which will commence in the third quarter of 2011.
The Acting Minister of Education, Hon. Snyder Rini revealed following a meeting last week with the Australian parliamentary delegation who were in the country for a six day visit.Mr Rini said that this support was also discussed during the annual partnership talks between Solomon Islands government and the director general of AUS-AID, Peter Baxter in July this year.
Mr Rini said that the funds will be allocated to implement activities in the Ministry of education's annual work program in the national education action plan 2010-2012, the provincial education action plan 2010-2012 and the education strategic framework 2007-2015.
He said that the funds will be disbursed quarterly, subject to proper accounting and reporting.
Hon. Rini said that the government through the Ministry of Education will ensure that funds are regularly audited, and continuous training of senior staff of the ministry on the adherence and compliance to the financial instructions rules and regulations for the management of public funds.
He said that internal auditors will be recruited to strengthen the monitoring of the funds to the education sector.
Mr Rini thanked the Australian government for their continuous support to the country's education sector and human resource.