In a significant step for one of the main boarding schools in Guadalcanal Province, Selwyn College, the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facility is being rehabilitated and it will be soon handed over to the community.
This initiative, funded by the European Union (EU) through the Provincial Governments and Service Delivery (PGSD) project implemented by UNDP, will mark the first accomplished activity under the sector grant component of the project, that is also supporting another school’s WASH facilities in the province.
Located in the Savulei ward of West Guadalcanal, Selwyn College is one of the province's most prominent senior secondary schools, operated by the Anglican Church. Over time, the school has faced persistent challenges with water access due to ageing infrastructure and limited maintenance resources.
The comprehensive ongoing rehabilitation under the EU-funded project is now addressing these issues, substantially improving the school’s water systems. The project entails repairs to the water storage tanks, cleaning of one of the three boreholes, new roof installation over storage tanks, installing a high-capacity water pump, and repairing the pipes linking the boreholes to the tanks.
With these enhancements, Selwyn College’s upgraded water supply will soon effectively serve the school's 891 secondary students (450 males, 441 females), 121 primary students (54 boys and 67 girls), and 41 teachers and clinic staff, fulfilling critical water needs across student dormitories, the clinic, and staff housing.
The visit to the site counted with the presence of the deputy Premier of Guadalcanal Province, Hon. Jonh Lee Saki, the Provincial Deputy Secretary, technical officers, officers from the provincial departments of Education and Health, as well as the EU’s Programme Manager, Mr. Francesco Ponzoni, UNDP’s Deputy Resident Representative Ms. Raluca Eddon and PGSD Project Manager, Mr. Mozammel Haque.
This effort is part of a broader partnership between the Guadalcanal Provincial Government and the PGSD project, aimed at strengthening WASH services. With an initial grant of SBD 1,220,500 (USD 149,260), the provincial government is improving the WASH facility of another school in the province. These efforts are estimated to benefit over 1,290 individuals, promoting the fundamental rights to water and sanitation for 94 women, 124 men, 997 girls, and 75 boys across Guadalcanal Province.
Hon. Jonh Lee Saki, Deputy Premier of the Guadalcanal Provincial, extended his gratitude to the EU and UNDP for their support, stating, “This funding greatly supports our Provincial Assembly in achieving development priorities, addressing critical challenges faced by our students, and building a foundation for further collaboration.”
EU Program Manager, Mr. Francesco Ponzoni, commended the Guadalcanal Provincial Government for their collaboration in the successful implementation of the project, highlighting how “this shows how decentralized governance can directly improve public services”.
He also congratulated Selwyn College and the GPG for their steadfast commitment to maintaining WASH facilities providing students and staff with their basic right to clean drinking water and proper sanitation and hygiene. He also emphasized how access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene is vital for students' health, well-being, and education outcomes. “Clean facilities reduce the spread of diseases and promote dignity, especially for young girls” he remembered.
Mr. Edwyn Rogemana, the Principal of Selwyn College, expressed appreciation for the project’s impact, noting the positive change for students and staff, many of whom previously relied on river sources for washing and cooking water. He also highlighted a need for further assistance in improving the quality of drinking water for the college community.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Ms. Raluca Eddon, emphasized the long-term benefits of the facility for Selwyn College and the surrounding community, explaining that “these improvements contribute directly to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation, and enhance students' health, well-being, and educational outcomes.” Ms. Eddon reaffirmed the project’s commitment to advancing decentralized, people-centered service delivery that addresses provincial priorities in Solomon Islands.
UNDP’s PGSD project, funded by the EU, works closely with the Solomon Islands Government across all levels to address critical water and sanitation needs, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
At the moment, the project is working in a total of 19 facilities across six provinces: Central, Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Isabel, Temotu and Western Province, and next year is planning to expand to Makira, Malaita and Renbel. By disbursing sector grants and fostering policy discussions, the project is helping the Government in advancing the decentralization agenda to bring essential services closer to communities to improve their quality of life across the country.
The rehabilitated WASH facility at Selwyn College is the first testament to the ongoing partnership between the Ministry of Provincial Governance and Institutional Strengthening, the Provincial Governments, the European Union, and UNDP, setting a precedent for further efforts to bring essential services closer to communities across Solomon Islands.
Source: Press Release, UNDP Solomon Islands