July, 2023
The Solomon Islands Early Childhood Development programme commenced in 2021 and sought to engage in a 3-pronged approach to working in the Honiara region of the Solomon Islands. The three focus points were children, parents and caregivers, and local government.
1. Children
Children aged 4 – 7 years old are at the heart of our programme. We want to promote a quality and holistic programme that can assist in creating an enabling environment for children to achieve the best possible outcomes in life. It was intended that children would be “school ready” at the end of their preparatory programme, which would be confirmed by verification of competency based on the curriculum.
2. Parents and Care givers
In consultation with our local representatives, we identified gaps in the competence of parents to both read and write. We noted that there were high instances of malnutrition, and that school attendance and performance was impacted by a lack of school readiness programmes. One of our objectives was to strengthen the capacity of parents and primary caregivers to be involved with, care for, and stimulate their children through training and support.
3. Government
It goes without saying that local authorities are a key contributor to the success of the programme and that is why before we even commenced with the programme design, government was consulted to try and identify any areas for collaboration.
Funding of this program will ensure that successful outcomes continue into the future, and provide a positive start for many young children. We welcome your support for this project. Donations to assist in achieving successful results can be made here.
Learners gifted with a stationery collection which was lovingly provided by brothers and sisters from Australia.
HOW ARE WE TRACKING?
Currently, the centre is operated by NACare Pacific at the New Apostolic White River church. Attendance fluctuates from time to time because of inclement weather and political volatility, but it is almost a certainty that at least 35 children access the programme on a daily basis. (Our attendance rates are exceptional with at least 85% of children attending daily, based on completed registers). We do not have enough teachers or space at our White River facility and unfortunately have to limit our intake to avoid crowding that would negatively impact learning.
Given the increased demands on our programme, the classes have been split into 2 groups, with 4 and 5-year-olds being separated from 6 -7-year-olds. This is to accommodate the gap in learning and the greater focus on preparing older children for primary school.
In accordance with our child protection policy we have, with the support of an anonymous donor, built additional ablution facilities at our White River learning centre to ensure that children are safe and separated from other activities which happen around the market vicinity.
Increasing pressure on our building has seen us initiate plans to build a separate 8M X 4M structure adjacent to the current structure which can be divided into 2 sections. This will see us increase our capacity to accommodate both year 1 and additional children into the programme.
It is likely that the NACare Early Childhood Education centre in White River will have expanded infrastructure to accommodate between 80 – 100 children by April 2024. This is in keeping with our objective to register our school, access government funding for teacher salaries and have local government as a co-funding partner by the end of 2024.
District Elder Witbooi (l) and Apostle Lodewick (r) with Chief Education Officer Mr Ellison Mane
To this end, the Apostle Lodewick and District Elder Witbooi recently met with the chief education officer of the Honiara City Council who provided us with invaluable assistance and insights for our application to be considered by the local city council.
An unintended but positive consequence of our programme in White River has seen the establishment of a similar programme in the village of Boneghe. Again, these courses are taught at our church building and by our qualified teachers.
The school currently provides education for 37 children who are drawn from five communities in and around the school; they are as follows: Bubamala village, Macedonia, Veralevua, Vera village and Tussie villiage.
There are some building modifications which are required for the intake to be increased, but our strategy with Boneghe would be to consolidate existing learning prior to trying to expand the programme.
These will be progressed and reported on following our next programme monitoring visits, scheduled for later in 2023.
FOR JUST $1 PER DAY
You can help provide quality education programmes that bring lasting change to children and their communities.
All proceeds received will go to the Solomon Islands Early Childhood Development Programme.