I wish to express my view here based no my experience as a Senior Science Teacher and Head of Department because I have served in both boarding and day secondary schools in Western Province.
Two of the schools included; Kukudu Adventist College (boarding), Beulah Provincial Secondary School (boarding), and Gizo Community High School (day school).
Based on this experience, I strongly support the call by Hon. Freedom Tozaka for an urgent Provincial Education Conference to be held by June 2026.
From my direct experience in the classroom, science laboratory, and school administration, it is important to clearly state that teachers should not be blamed alone for the poor academic performance of schools in Western Province.
One major missing link is the lack of adequate and sustainable resources. Even the most committed and well-trained teachers cannot deliver quality education without the basic tools for teaching and learning.
PRIMARY OBSERVATION ACCORDING TO MY EXPERIENCE ON KEY RESOURCE GAPS OBSERVED IN BOARDING AND DAY SCHOOLS THAT NEEDS CONSIDERATION :
1. Science Infrastructure and Laboratories
A fully equipped and functional science laboratory is essential for effective science teaching and learning. However, many schools lack proper laboratory buildings, equipment, and safety facilities. The province must prioritize:
• Construction of complete science laboratories
• A dedicated provincial budget for chemicals, apparatus, and consumable materials
• Regular funding for laboratory renovation and maintenance
Without proper laboratories, students cannot develop the practical skills required in science subjects.
2. Libraries and Learning Materials
Many schools operate without functional libraries or updated textbooks. To improve learning outcomes, the province should:
• Build and equip school libraries
• Stock relevant and up-to-date curriculum-based books
• Ensure students have access to reference materials beyond classroom notes
Libraries support independent learning and improve understanding across all subjects.
3. ICT and Connectivity
In today’s education system, technology is no longer optional. Schools urgently need:
• Computer laboratories
• Reliable solar power systems to support ICT and classroom lighting
• Free Starlink internet connectivity for each school to support research, teacher development, online learning, and global connection
Reliable internet will help schools adjust quickly to modern teaching and learning methods.
4. Transportation and Mobility
The geography of Western Province creates serious challenges for school operations. To support academic programs, inspections, outreach, and research activities, the province should provide:
• Four (4) boats with 60HP engines
• Two (2) boats with 40HP engines for faster and safer travel
This will improve school supervision, academic coordination, and student activities.
5. Teacher Capacity Building
Quality education depends on continuous teacher development. The province should:
• Allocate funds for teachers to study units and upgrade their qualifications
• Quickly release willing and capable teachers for further studies
• Support teacher professional growth to directly improve classroom performance
Investing in teachers is an investment in student success.
6. Student Welfare and Nutrition
Especially in boarding schools, student health directly affects academic performance. The province must:
• Provide balanced and nutritious meals for students
• Create a specific budget for student meals and welfare
• Seek external funding and partnerships to support school feeding programs
Hungry students cannot concentrate or perform well in class.
7. School Debts (Big Kaon) and Financial Accountability
Another serious issue affecting the smooth running of schools is the large debts (big kaon) left behind by previous school administrations. These debts often place heavy pressure on new principals and disrupt teaching and learning.
To address this issue, the province should:
• Hold principals accountable who create large school debts without proper approval
• Discipline or penalise principals who leave schools with serious financial liabilities
• Ensure that new principals are not blamed or forced to change existing debts
• Make the principal who created the debt fully responsible, even if he or she has been transferred to another school
Clear financial accountability will protect schools from poor management and allow new leadership to focus on improving academic performance.
8. Leadership Engagement and Open Dialogue
To find real and lasting solutions, provincial leaders must engage directly with schools. I strongly recommend that the Premier, Deputy Premier, and Minister of Finance:
• Conduct school visits across Western Province
• Hold open forum discussions with teachers and students, not only school administrators
Teachers and students understand the real challenges affecting learning outcomes. Excluding their voices limits effective problem-solving.
Education Performance and Statehood Aspirations
Finally, the link between education performance and Western Province’s aspiration for statehood cannot be ignored. Human resources are the foundation of any future state government. If academic performance remains weak, statehood ambitions will also be weakened.
My Wisdom Feed Forward
In conclusion, an urgent and well-funded Western Province Education Conference is not only necessary it is long overdue.
The conference must move beyond discussion and result in a clear, realistic, and well-resourced strategic education plan.
Investing in infrastructure, teachers, students, strong financial accountability, and open dialogue is the only sustainable way to improve academic performance in Western Province schools for today and for the future.
By Alden Ijini Tigulu
A Senior Science Teacher and Head of Department
Western Province
