School in Solomon Islands

Early childhood education, known as ECCE or ECE, is generally provided through community-based or regulated centres for children aged about 3 to 4. Primary Preparation Year, or PPY, usually takes place at age 5, followed by primary education in Years 1–6, usually from ages 6 to 11. Junior secondary covers Years 7–9 and senior secondary covers Years 10–12. Community High Schools, Provincial Secondary Schools and National Secondary Schools provide these stages in different combinations; government, provincial, church, private and other non-government providers may operate day or boarding schools. Self-funded schools and schools using alternative or international frameworks such as Cambridge or the International Baccalaureate require approval from the Minister of Education and Human Resources Development. A child born on or before 30 November generally starts primary school in the school year in which the child turns 6; a child born from 1 December generally starts in the following school year. Enrolment records normally include the child's identity, age, residence and parent or guardian contacts, with a unique identifier or Solomon Islands Education Management Information System record where applicable. Year 7 placement and secondary selection are administered through the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development. Compulsory education covers Years 1–9 or continues until age 16, whichever comes first, and schools record attendance and follow up unexplained absence. The Education Act 2023 and minister-approved learning frameworks provide the basis for competency-based, student-centred teaching. English becomes the principal language of instruction from Year 4, while vernacular languages, Pijin, English and sign language may be used according to learning needs; local knowledge, skills and traditions form part of learning. Religious instruction and pastoral care require parental consent. Primary and secondary schools use formative and summative assessment and report progress to parents at least twice a year, with reasonable adjustments for special educational needs. The Solomon Islands Junior Secondary Certificate assesses English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies externally at Year 9. The Solomon Islands School Certificate Level 1 normally covers Years 10–11 and leads toward Year 12, while Level 2 is a one-year Year 12 qualification; both use internal and external assessment and support later study, scholarships and employment. For schools covered by the national fee rules, annual day-school maximums are SBD 1,200 for urban primary, SBD 250 for non-urban primary, SBD 2,000 for urban junior secondary, SBD 800 for non-urban junior secondary, SBD 4,000 for urban senior secondary and SBD 3,000 for non-urban senior secondary. Boarding maximums are SBD 4,500 urban and SBD 2,800 non-urban for junior secondary, and SBD 9,000 urban and SBD 7,200 non-urban for senior secondary. Covered schools may not charge enrolment, waiting-list, transfer or examination fees or compulsory levies, although families may still pay for stationery, uniforms, excursions, activities and transport. Hardship arrangements can include instalments, labour or materials, and fee remission for primary and junior secondary students; compulsory-age students should not be excluded because of unpaid fees. Schools must protect students from corporal punishment and harsh or degrading punishment, provide complaint procedures and support inclusion and gender equity. A suspension normally lasts one or two school days and may not exceed ten school days; expulsion of a compulsory-age student requires alternative education or an exemption. In 2023, the Solomon Islands Education Management Information System recorded 512 early childhood centres, 315 standalone primary schools, 493 Community High Schools, 16 other secondary schools, 16 Provincial Secondary Schools and 10 National Secondary Schools. The national system was served by 36 education providers, including 11 government and 25 non-government providers. The Ministry leads national administration, curriculum, resources, grants and registration, while provincial boards, education providers, school boards and principals share responsibility for governance, staffing, fees, enrolment, attendance, teaching and school records.