The Dawea Transfiguration Early Childhood Centre (ECE) at Vura, East Honiara has become the latest Anglican school to receive official registration from the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), following the handover of its registration certificate on Friday.
Established in 2022, the school was created after a synodical decision by the Diocese of Central Melanesia to establish Early Childhood Education centres in its parishes within Honiara. Due to the government’s moratorium on the registration of new ECEs at the time, the school initially operated as an extension of the St Nicholas Anglican School.
Following the lifting of the moratorium after the enactment of the new Education Act, the school—formerly known as Transfiguration ECE—has now been officially registered as a stand-alone institution and renamed Dawea Transfiguration ECE.
Chairman of the School Board, Robert Iroga, said the name change was made to honour the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM), whose vision was to expand access to early childhood education through the establishment of more ECE centres within the Church.
The registration certificate was formally handed over by a senior MEHRD official, Davis Pitamama, to the Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Central Melanesia, Bishop Othniel Gamutu.
Mr Pitamama said Dawea Transfiguration ECE had fully met all requirements to operate as a stand-alone school.
“We are happy to register the school as it has met the necessary standards. It is an important piece of infrastructure within the Church and will also serve the surrounding community,” he said.
He added that registration would now allow the school to access government support, including teachers and learning materials.
“We welcome you to the family of schools now officially registered by the Solomon Islands Government,” Mr Pitamama said.
In receiving the certificate, Bishop Gamutu thanked the Government for recognising one of the Church’s newest schools and for the support it will receive going forward.
ACOM Education Secretary, Desmond Waita, described the occasion as historic for both the Church and the local community.
“This is a significant day as a new coconut is grown. We are excited because this school adds to the learning institutions of both the Church and the country,” he said.
Mr Iroga said the registration marked a rare and significant moment for the school.
“Four years after it was established as an early childhood education centre, our beloved school has now received its formal registration certificate from MEHRD. This places us among the four newest Anglican Church of Melanesia schools officially registered by the Government this year,” he said.
He added that Transfiguration Parish was the first parish to realise the Church’s vision of establishing ECEs at parish level, and Friday’s handover marked a major milestone for the community.
“We have always believed that education is the key to the future, and our school has become a gateway for positive change within our community,” Mr Iroga said.
He also expressed appreciation to St Nicholas Anglican School, under which Dawea Transfiguration ECE initially operated.
“Their support and guidance were instrumental in laying the foundation for this achievement,” he said.
