EARLY PLANNING TO DRIVE BETTER COORDINATION AND STRONGER EDUCATION DELIVERY IN 2027
MEHRD opens 2027 Annual Work Plan Development Workshop

15 September 2026 – The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) has commenced its 2027 Annual Work Plan (AWP) Development Workshop, with Permanent Secretary Supervising Mrs Linda Wate stressing that early planning is essential for better coordination, stronger accountability and improved education delivery.

Opening the workshop, Mrs Wate described 2027 as a year of delivery for the education sector. She said the year will mark the start of the National Education Action Plan (NEAP) 2027–2031, the next phase of implementing the Education Act 2023, and progress on major reforms including the Free Education Policy and the establishment of the new Ministry of Higher Education, Skills Development, Research and Innovation.

Mrs Wate said planning must focus on practical results for children, teachers, students and communities. “We must continually ask ourselves what each policy or reform means for a child in a classroom, a teacher in a school, a student entering tertiary education, and a community wanting better opportunities for its young people,” she said.

She emphasised that early planning allows MEHRD to align priorities across divisions, coordinate resources and partners, sequence key reforms, clarify responsibilities and address risks before implementation begins. It also gives the Ministry a stronger basis for budgeting, procurement, monitoring and reporting throughout the year.

Mrs Wate urged divisions not to simply repeat previous annual work plans, but to learn from experience, build on what works, improve what needs improvement and stop activities that do not serve people well. She said NEAP 2027–2031 must start strongly, with every division and staff member understanding the plan, their contribution and how their work supports better education outcomes.

She also reminded staff that MEHRD’s greatest strength is its people and called for continued unity, collaboration, trust and respect across the Ministry during a period of significant reform.

“Let us work together across divisions and Ministries. And let us ensure that at the end of 2027, we can look back and say: we did not simply develop another plan. We delivered meaningful improvements in education for the people of Solomon Islands,” Mrs Wate said.

The workshop is intended to translate national policy and reform priorities into clear, practical and achievable activities, strengthen coordination across MEHRD, and ensure the Ministry enters 2027 with an agreed implementation direction.

Permanent Secretary Supervising Mrs Linda Wate delivering her keynote address to MEHRD Heads of Division during the 2027 Annual Work Plan Development Workshop

MEHRD participants pose for a group photo outside the workshop venue during the 2027 Annual Work Plan Development Workshop.