STUDENTS of Guguha community high school (CHS) in Ysabel Province have successfully conducted a mock election processes last week.
The Speaker of National Parliament who is also the chair of the Electoral Commission traveled to the school to observe the event.
The concept was designed by Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SICE) Senior Media and Voter Awareness Philothea Paul and endorsed by the Curriculum Division of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development and the Electoral Commission.
This activity is being implemented with the support of Strengthening the Electoral Cycle System in Solomon Island (SECSIP) a UNDP project funded by the Government of Australia and the European Union.
Deputy Principal of the school, Lot Nevemana told the Solomon Star the school was happy to receive the activity and more especially the Speaker of Parliament Ajilon Nasiu.
“Indeed we are so privilege to participate in this activity that will provide good knowledge about election to the school students,” Mr Nevemana said.
He thanked Speaker Nasiu for his presence which motivated the students.
The School Elections Project provides an opportunity for the youth of Solomon Islands to become familiarized with the election procedures through a pragmatic and participatory approach as well as to foster a wider understanding of the importance of elections as one of the fundamental instruments of participating in a democracy.
The programme targets year 8 school students and it has been developed taking into consideration the social studies curriculum of MEHRD focusing on the basic notions of democracy, election, good governance and leadership.
SIEC planned this initiative as a channel to bridge the information gap in these topics to establish a foundation for awareness for future elections at an early age in a cost effective way.
Students take part in series of discussions on topics including the role and responsibilities of Members of Parliament, Voter Registration, Candidate Nomination, Freedom of Choice, Campaigning, Electoral laws, How to Vote, Vote Counting and Announcement of Results
This exercise ends with a mock registration, the submission of candidacies and a mock election. At the end students fill up an evaluation form providing valuable feedback to assess their understanding of the topics and the implemented activities.
By LESLEY SANGA
