Students at Keara in the island of Ranongga, Western Province have resumed classes after cyclone Maila has disrupted classes for more almost two months.
Hope in sight for Keara in the aftermath of cyclone Maila
Honiara, 17 June 2026 — With greens leaves starting to sprout out from the dead trees, so is hope for the cyclone ravaged community.
Even after the devastation of Maila two months ago, nature finds a way to renew itself, offering a symbol of resilience, recovery and hope.
Making the reassurance visit by Prime Minister Hon Mathew Wale and his delegation in late May timely. Keara and Irigila in Vella La Vela Island were the two communities in Western province the Prime Minister visited. Minister of Education, Hon. Stephen Kumi was also part of the delegation.
The Prime Minister assured the communities he visited that assessment reports are been fast-tracked to allow the Government to quickly mobilize and redirect resources where they are needed most, including for education.
He stressed that his government’s commitment to recovery in the disaster-stricken communities is unwavering.
This is welcoming reassurance for Ms. Mazini and her determination to re-develop the Primary School in Keara even better to what it was before Cyclone Maila to enable quality education for the children in their recovery now and into the future.
“We are happy the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands has come down and reached us here at Keara Village.
“This has given us hope that our government will continue to give us education support and also in other areas that have been impacted by the cyclone,” she said.
Ms. Mazini, who herself resides in a community hall at Keara, said staff housing is a need while highlighting other immediate priorities for the school as a result of the impacts of cyclone Maila.
“Clean and safe water supply is also a need as trees have fallen on our dam destroying our only source of clean water which also denies our staff and students access to proper sanitation,” she said.
In the meantime, Ms. Mazini urges her staff and teachers to remain resilient and optimistic in facing the post-disaster challenges.
Ms. Anleta Mazini, the Principal at Keara Primary School in the island of Ranongga, Western Province.
Family homes on the coastline of Keara village were swept away leaving hundreds of families homeless and now living in tents.
Villagers at Keara were given hope with the visit of the Prime Minister Hon. Mathew Wale as part of his reassurance visit. Pictured here the Prime Minister meeting with students of Keara Primary School.
Ms. Anleta Mazini, the Chief Education Officer for Western Province Mr. Samuel Parubule and MEHRD’s Deputy Secretary Education Services and National Disaster Operation Centre (NDOC) Education Chairman, Christopher Sakiri at Keara Primary School in May 2026.
Keara village in Ranongga, Western Province. Unlike some schools that were partly or entirely destroyed by the cyclone, Keara Primary School’s two main classroom buildings survived the strong winds with minor damages, as the school is situated inland. Sadly, family homes on the coastline were not that fortunate, as they were swept away leaving hundreds of families homeless.
MEHRD Press