TAX payers through the East Central Guadalcanal (ECGC) Constituency Office has launched a major initiative aimed at boosting access to information, communication and technology (ICT) services in rural areas with the provision of Starlink systems to eight (8) Community High Schools.
The support is part of the constituency office’s effort and commitment under the leadership of Member of Parliament, Honorable Lazarus Alfred Rinah to ensure students from rural schools are not left behind in the digital age and communication technology which can enhance learning opportunities in isolated rural and maritime communities.
The project cost SBD$58,400 and was funded under the ECGC CDF 2025 allocation for the Essential Services Sector which includes support for the education sector.
Constituency Accountant Officer Edson Ramoifanua said that this initiative fulfils a key component of the constituency’s annual work plan and development plan.
“The constituency, in its development strategy, prioritises the development of our human resources. Therefore, education is the top priority in our four-year development plan,” Mr. Ramoifanua said.
“This is to ensure that the human resources of our constituency and Guadalcanal Province as a whole are improved through enhanced educational opportunities.”
The eight schools supported by this project were:
- Longgu Kaoka CHS
- Bolale CHS
- Sanalumu CHS
- Tolunatete CHS
- Kobito CHS
- Bubukolo CHS
- Bubunuhu CHS
- Ghombu CHS
Mr Ramoifanua emphasised the transformative power of internet access in modern education.
“The way students learn has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past decade. Traditional textbooks and chalkboards are now complemented, and in some cases, replaced by digital resources.
“Internet access levels the playing field between rural and urban students. Without it, rural students are at a significant disadvantage. Reliable internet ensures that every student, regardless of location, has an equal opportunity for success,” he highlighted.
The initiative has received praise from provincial education leaders.
The Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly Minister for Education, Honourable John Botsi, acknowledged MP Hon. Rinah’s leadership and investment.
“As the education provider in the province, this is the first of its kind, and we greatly appreciate your initiative,” Hon. Botsi said.
“I call on all school principals and their administrations to utilize this resource and look after the equipment for the betterment of our students. This equipment is costly and funded by public funds, it must be used wisely and maintained properly.”
Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Fredrick Watson Vava, Principal of Bubunuhu CHS, thanked the ECGC office on behalf of the recipient schools.
“Today is a historic day for us. We are receiving a modern network system that will boost our students’ learning capacity and improve our administrative capabilities to connect with our headquarters, the Ministry of Education,” he said.
Mr Ramoifanua also acknowledged the Solomon Islands Government for its continued support to the CDF program and assured the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) that ECGC will continue to collaborate to implement the 2025 CDF Program in accordance with the CDF Act 2023.
The ECGC Constituency Office is dedicated to the sustainable development of East Central Guadalcanal, with a strategic focus on education, health, and infrastructure to improve the livelihoods of its constituents.
- MRD
