7 August 2014
NANALA COMMUNITY SCHOOL OFFICIALLY OPENED WITH HELP FROM AUSTRALIA
A vision of the Nanala community was achieved last week with the assistance of the Australian government. The Nanala community school, which was funded by the Australian High Commission’s Direct Aid Program, was officially opened last Thursday by the Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly Minister for Education Hon. Lazarus Rina.
The official opening was celebrated with song, dance, feasting and sports. It was attended by Hon. Rina, Member for Vulolo Ward Hon. Patrick Kennedy, and a representative of the Guadalcanal Education Authority and Australian High Commission Second Secretaries Dave Inabinet and Ben O’Reilly.
The Nanala community is located in Central Guadalcanal. Its isolation has made access to education challenging; however, the hard work of community leaders and the cooperation of all community members made building a new school a success.
Speaking during the official opening Mr O’Reilly applauded the Nanala community for working with the Australian government to deliver education outcomes to remote areas.
“The Nanala community has shown that land issues can be overcome to ensure the children of Solomon Islands, the future of the country, receive the education they are entitled to,” said Mr O’Reilly.
“With the help of two key community leaders Pastor Selwyn and Apolos, the construction of the Nanala community school was made possible. We thank them for their partnership throughout this process.”
Prior to cutting the ribbon, Hon. Rina congratulated the Nanala community and said the Guadalcanal Provincial Government would fulfil its obligations to resource the school. Hon. Kennedy also reinforced the importance of education and called for the community to continue to support the school by ensuring students attend.
Now the school has a headmistress, teachers and a commitment from the government for future funding. It is expected up to 200 students will register to start classes in 2015.
The quick transition from handover to opening was made possible through assistance from the Honiara Rotary Club, which helped by providing some of the much needed furnishings for the school.
For additional photos and stories, visit the Australian High Commission’s Facebook page, Australia in Solomon Islands.