Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Teachers in Solomon Islands threaten to close schools from next week

Posted at 22:04 on 11 October, 2012 UTC

The General Secretary of the Solomon Islands Teachers Association says it is highly likely schools will close down next week because, he claims, the government is failing to prioritise the education sector.

Teachers across the country have threatened to shut schools from next week if they do not receive their annual government grants by the end of this week.

Johnley Hatimoana says 95 percent of all government funded schools have not received their grants despite following the necessary requirements.

“Well I think the government has other very big commitments than education. A lot of delegations have been going abroad without looking at education as the key factor here. I think the government should rethink and prioritise education as the key factor and the most paramount area in this country.”

Johnley Hatimoana says the lack of grant money has caused administration problems within the schools.