A total of 83 government sponsored students in overseas institutions have had their scholarships terminated at the end of semester one 2019 for poor academic performance. 35 students were from USP Laucala campus, while 30 were from Fiji National University, 17 from institutions in Philippines and only one from PNG based institutions. From UNITECH/Auckland a government sponsored student was sent back because of visa issues. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development said this is the lowest number compared to previous years. Dr. Franco Rodie said in previous years, between 100 to 200 students were often terminated at the end of each semester because of under-performance. He said MEHRD is pleased with the success rate of SIG sponsored students in semester one and they encouraged students to continue to study hard. Recently, a number of the students being sent home from institutions in Fiji were seen binge drinking on board a...

PERMANENT Secretary of the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services (MPNSCS), Ms. Karen Galokale has highlighted the value of the ongoing dialogue on border security management between Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea this week. Opening the 8 th SI-PNG Joint Border Committee (JBC) meeting Monday this week on the famous Kennedy Island in Gizo, Ms. Galokale said the 8 th JBC provides a vital opportunity for officials to discuss issues relating to the two countries security, bilateral relations and development partnership. She said the gathering in Gizo this week is not only a symbol of the two Governments’ mandate but a symbol of our desire to expand and express our two countries’ national interests in relation to border management . The meeting which is currently underway at Gizo Hotel followed on from the 7 th JBC held in Kokopo, East New Britain Province of Papua New Guinea in 2016. Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea shared a common maritim...

PREMIER of Western Province Hon. David Gina has called on the Solomon Islands-PNG Joint Border Committee (JBC) to prioritize reconciliation and reparation for border residents before any border management plans can meaningfully implemented. Premier Gina (Pic: Director, GCU) Premier Gina who was Chief Guest made the call at the start of the 8 th Joint Border Committee meeting in Gizo which formally began in Gizo, Western Province today (Wednesday 28 August). More than 40 officials from security agencies from both Solomon Islands and PNG are gathering in Gizo this week to review and discuss further improvements to existing agreements and arrangements relating to border management between the two countries. Premier Gina said the JBC is a bi-annual event that has now reached its 8 th gathering in Gizo this week but previous resolutions or outcomes were only made at the diplomatic or official level which makes his people wonder whether the implementation resolutions wo...

SOLOMON Islands and Papua New Guinea governments are having joint border talks in the western province. From Western Province, Director Government Communication Unit, Mr. George Herming said border issues between Solomon Islands government and PNG are in the interests of both countries. He said this was highlighted in the speech of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Police, Correctional Service and National Security, Ms. Karen Galokale. (Audio) Director GCU, George Herming report from Gizo, Western Province

THE National Training Unit (NTU) in the Education Ministry is calling on students studying in higher Education Institutions to send in their academic transcripts and confirmation of registration. A statement from MEHRD says after the July holidays, students are expected to send to NTU these documents. MEHRD says this is important so that NTU can monitor and evaluate their progress from the previous trimester. MEHRD says every government sponsored students are obliged to provide details of their academic transcript and registration details before NTU can pay their allowances. The statement says students that have not sent in their transcripts and registration detail will expect to have their allowances delayed. Based on the documents, NTU will make decisions whether to terminate scholarships or not. Under-performers will have their scholarship terminated. It is understood a number of SIG sponsored students in higher education institutions overseas have had their scholarshi...

THE people of Aola, East Central Guadalcanal will soon have access to better health care closer to home, thanks to a partnership between the community and Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the World Health Organization (WHO).         Members of the Aola Clinic Committee met with (from right, in front) Dr Joel Denty, Guadalcanal Provincial Health Director, Mrs Michelle Kim from KOICA (centre), WHO Representative to the Solomon Islands Dr Sevil Huseynova (left), technical officers from WHO, and project manager Kramer Ausenco. Members of the Aola Clinic Committee met with representatives of the three organizations last week to discuss plans for the refurbishment of the Aola Area Health Centre, which serves a catchment area of around 10,000 people. Improvements will include a completely renovated clinic building – including a confidential space for survivors of domestic violence - running wat...

THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Temotu Vatud, Hon. Freda Tuki has denied signing a statement pledging her support for Taiwan. She said she has not signed any document and she was quite shocked to see her name appear in the list of Pro-Taiwan MPs.  Tuki said at this point in time, she wants to remain neutral in her position.  She says as an MP and Minister, she would rather have government full fill its 100 days policy  that directly affect the people of Solomon Islands, than bicker over China and Taiwan. Ms. Tuki said her stand will only be made known once the fact finding mission compiled their report and Caucus meet to deliberate on this issue. She said proper consultations must be done before any decision is made. However she is of the opinion this should not be an immediate priority for government.  She said government should be left alone to focus on full filling it's 100 days policy. But as Minister, she said, her decision ...