The Solomon Islands government (SIG) has moved to defuse tensions with the country’s teacher union, following a 28-day strike notice issued by the Solomon Islands National Teachers Association (SINTA) over a longstanding seven demands.
In a media press conference on Wednesday – 3rd September, Prime minister Jeremiah Manele acknowledged the urgency of the situation and outlined the government’s response to the union’s concerns.
SINTA’s seven demands include:
- Strengthening job security for teachers.
- Recognition of teaching experience in salary calculations.
- Backdated salary payments.
- A comprehensive review of the national salary structure.
- Formal inclusion of Early Childhood Education (ECE), Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and Disabilities teachers.
- Enhanced allowances and benefits.
- Reassessments of education providers’ financial capacity.
Prime Minister Manele said the government has already reached consensus on three of the demands-job security, salary structure review, and financial capacity-and that a taskforce has been activated to address the remaining four.
“We are not here to dismiss concern – we are here to act,” Manele told the media. “Teachers are the foundation of our national development. Their voices matters, and their demands reflect the realities they face everyday day in the classrooms across the country.”
He emphasized that the government’s approach would be collaborative and inclusive, involving technical experts and education stakeholders.
“We are formalising the roles of ECEs, TVET, and Disabilities teachers within our national framework. These educators have been overlooked for too long and their inclusion is not a policy shift; it is a moral imperative.”
On the issue of backdated salaries and recognition of teacher’s experiences, Manele acknowledged the complexity but assured the solutions were underway.
“We understand the frustration. Teachers deserved to be compensated fairly and recognized for their years of service. We are working with the Ministry of Finance and the Teaching Services Commission to ensure these matters are resolved transparency and equitably.”
The Prime Minister concluded with as appeal for unity and patience, urging educators to remained engaged while the government finalized its implementation roadmap.
“This is a turning point and we are not just negotiating terms; we are building trust. I ask our teachers to walk with us as we shape a more inclusive and resilient education system for the Solomon Islands.”
By ANDRIANAH KOLE
Solomon Star, Honiara.
