Rennell and Bellona Premier Hon Erick T. Saueha has said his province's new education agreements must bring practical improvements for remote schools, telling a signing ceremony at Honiara Hotel on the morning of 28 October 2026 that geographical isolation must never limit children's chances to learn.
Saueha said the Education Agency Agreement and the Provincial Education Board Agreement with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) had to produce better support for teachers, stronger school governance and more equitable access to education. Rennell and Bellona is the fifth province to sign the Agency Agreement. The Premier and the Minister of Education, Hon Stephen Kumi, signed for their respective governments.
"Our isolation has preserved our traditions, our communal spirit, and our resilience. But isolation must never mean disadvantage," Saueha said. He described education as central to the province's future and to preserving its Polynesian culture, heritage and identity, and said the agreements would link national policy with provincial needs through clearer responsibilities, closer coordination and greater accountability.
The Agency Agreement sets out how the provincial government and MEHRD will share responsibilities for education delivery, with provincial school operations supported by ministry technical guidance and oversight. The Provincial Education Board gives education stakeholders a forum to help shape provincial priorities.
Saueha warned that putting the agreements into practice would require sustained attention to resource shortages, costly transport, limited digital connectivity and school infrastructure needs. "A signed agreement alone will not build classrooms, stock libraries, or power schools," he said. He named free education as a priority, calling for national grants to reach schools reliably and be managed transparently so that fees and hidden costs do not keep children out of school.
The Premier thanked MEHRD, provincial education officers, teachers, church leaders and communities for keeping education services going, and urged continued cooperation. The ceremony was attended by MEHRD senior officials, the provincial delegation and development partners, including Australian DFAT and New Zealand officials led by Ms Ami Bah, First Secretary Education, Australian High Commission, and Ms Sammy O'Hara, Second Secretary Education, New Zealand High Commission.
Source: Based on a Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development release published on the Solomon Islands Government portal (solomons.gov.sb) on 29 October 2026. https://solomons.gov.sb/premier-saueha-puts-remote-learners-at-the-heart-of-new-education-partnership/