The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) says it will fund building work at the state-owned Waimapuru National Secondary School from 2027 onwards, with 14 projects listed for the school in next year's development budget.
Minister of Education Hon Stephen Kumi announced it on Wednesday 21 October 2026 while giving the keynote address at the school's graduation ceremony. He told the school community in Makira/Ulawa Province that the package sits under the Schools Infrastructure Development Budget Programme in the 2027 Solomon Islands Government Development Budget.
The list takes in a water supply system, along with repairs to five dormitories, three classrooms and five staff houses. The minister said the money should give students and teachers safe water, better dormitories and classrooms, and better houses for staff.
"Implementation must follow approved government budget, procurement and project-management processes," Minister Kumi said. He said the Permanent Secretary and the relevant Education Providers would keep the work coordinated, monitored and accounted for, together with other authorities and the school.
The minister also urged the school principal, teachers, students, the School Board, MEHRD, the Makira-Ulawa and Temotu Provincial Governments and the community to look after the facilities once they are finished, report maintenance needs early and see that they are used responsibly.
On staffing, Minister Kumi said: "Infrastructure alone cannot improve learning. Waimapuru also needs adequate teachers, subject coverage and professional development." He asked school leaders to set down in writing what the school needs in staffing, training and student support, and to send it to the ministry through the proper channels.
MEHRD said it would set up a new structure in 2027 to back Provincial Education Providers' offices and provincial-based private and Church Education Providers, giving it, it said, closer oversight of Waimapuru NSS and easier access to its technical support.
Source: Media release, "MEHRD commits to infrastructure support for Waimapuru NSS", Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, published on the Solomon Islands Government portal on 22 October 2026. https://solomons.gov.sb/mehrd-commits-to-infrastructure-support-for-waimapuru-nss/