Proposed school fee exemptions for parents in disaster affected communities

Honiara, 17 June 2026 — The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) is considering school fee exemptions for students whose families are directly impacted by Cyclone Maila in the Western and Choiseul Provinces.

MEHRD’s Deputy Secretary Education Services and National Disaster Operation Centre (NDOC) Education Chairman, Christopher Sakiri highlighted that the Ministry is in the process of collecting required data from the Education Providers (EPs) in the two provinces to determine how best to support the affected schools and families with exempted fees.

In Western Province a total of 18 schools from early childhood to secondary schools have been directly affected, impacting 1,741 students while in Choiseul Province 23 schools have been affected.

“MEHRD at moment relies on the EPs and school leaders to provide us with the data for these exempted fees and how much it will cost for each of the schools and the affected families.

“Once that cost is consolidated then we will look at ways in trying to support the schools in providing funds to ensure that these schools can operate when we approve fee exemptions for students,” Mr. Sakiri said.

MEHRD acknowledges that if funds are not provided by the Government, then these schools will surely close their doors before the end of the academic years.

Chief Education Officer from the Choiseul Province EP, Mr. Henry Deva said that his office is currently working on compiling all relevant data required by MEHRD from the affected schools in Choiseul Province.

“We should have all these data compiled and submitted to MERHD by the end of June. I understand the EP in Western Province is also in the process gathering data from their affected schools,” he said.

Mr. Deva, however, is particularly concerned with the Secondary Boarding Schools in their province that were impacted.

“We have four Boarding Schools impacted in Choiseul Province that depend entirely on school fees to sustain the administration and operations of the schools.

“Our concern is the sustainability of the schools until the end of the academic year if students are exempted from paying school fees.

“At the same we also understand the difficulties parents, especially those that have lost everything during the Cyclone, are facing.  That is why we look forward to working together with MEHRD and partners to look at how best we can support our affected schools,” Mr. Deva said.

Chief Education Officer for the Western Province EP, Mr. Samuel Parubule confirmed that for affected schools in Western Province, all required information has already been submitted to MEHRD.

While MEHRD and its provincial EPs continue on their education response and recovery efforts, the proposed school fees exemption is a welcomed support for many families and parents in the disaster-stricken communities who still have difficulties earning an income, more than two months since Cyclone Maila made landfall.

Cyclone Maila caused destruction to their homes, personal belongings, water system, gardens and important cash crops that support their livelihoods on a daily basis.

These are resources families depended on for many years, and recovering from these loses will take a long time.

A local Chief from Irigila village in Vella La Vela, Western Province, Mr. John Maelagi testifies that parents in the affected communities are finding it very difficult to meet their school fees obligations.

Mr. Maelagi, who is also the Chairman of the Irigila Disaster Committee, said it will be very supportive if the Government can ease this burden from the already struggling parents so that children can continue with their education post Cyclone Maila.

“For us, the main challenge is that the only means by which we earn money is through copra. But currently those of us who have coconut plantations are faced with a problem because strong winds during the cyclone have destroyed our plantations.

“It will take time for us to go back to normalcy. So, if MEHRD can allow us free education or exempted school fees until the end of the year that will be very much appreciated.

“This will allow our children and students to go back to school, so that it helps us with our recovery,” Mr. Maelagi said.

School fee exemptions for students affected by natural disasters are regularly authorized by Governments and educational institutions to ensure continuity of education.

MEHRD’s Deputy Secretary Education Services and National Disaster Operation Centre (NDOC) Education Chairman, Christopher Sakiri with the Principal of Keara Primary in Ranongga, one of the schools impacted by Cyclone Maila in Western Province

Prime Minister Hon. Mathew Wale listening to the concerns of an elderly person at Irigila village, Vella La Vela during his reassurance visit to Western Province

Children at Sasamunga in south Choiseul in their temporary learning space. Thanks to UNICEF for the provision of the high-performance tents. ECE and PPY classroom in Sasamunga village were entirely destroyed by Cyclone Maila.

High Performance tents provided by UNICEF being set up in front of a damaged classroom in Saqigae village, south Choiseul. The tents are being used as temporary classrooms.

Inside of one of the classrooms in Saqigae village, south Choiseul that was destroyed by Cyclone Maila.

MEHRD Press