Solomon Island Girls Scholarship Project 2022

Barely one in ten girls graduate high school, yet the barriers can be overcome.

Only 7% of girls in the Solomon Islands graduate from high school,making it the lowest rate in the world. This shocking statistic is appalling and quite frankly, not right! According to a recent study conducted by the Lowy Institute in early 2019, the number one barrier identified for this predicament was the lack of funding to pay for school fees since free high school education is not an option in the Solomon Islands. Despite the 2009, Fee Free Basic Education policy, the government of the Solomon Islands does not provide for senior secondary schooling (years 10-12). Another barrier identified is discrimination against girls who become pregnant is followed by deeply entrenched gender inequality.

Gender inequality is another prevailing issue that is a contributing factor to why it is so hard for girls and young women in Solomon Islands to complete high school. This is particularly concerning in places where traditional roles are considered a high priority for girls and young women to abide by. While boy’s education is valued, girls are expected to be subservient to their traditional roles as caretakers of their homes, and eventually become a wife and mother. 

As a result, there is a huge drop in the number of girls completing their high school education. It is a well known fact that girls across the Solomon Islands are acutely aware of their education being a financial burden to their families. A poverty profile study of the Solomon Islands published in 2012-2013 shows 66% of households find it difficult to afford school fees.

What can Melanesian Women Today do?

MWT has begun fundraising to pay for school fees for girls as a scholarship program for girls at Auki Community High School in Malaita Province. School fees range from $1000 to $3000 Solomon Island dollars ($120 to $360 US Dollars) for a full year’s tuition.

MWT has teamed up with the 7th and 8th grade students from Odyssey Middle School on Bainbridge Island, WA USA for a fundraiser to pay for school fees.

Making a difference in the life of even one girl has an impact, but we would like to sponsor as many as 10 if possible before the 2023 school year begins in February. 

• 11-11-2022 Students met and learned about the Solomon Islands

• 11-18-2022 Students learned about the Well Being Indicators and started making plans

• 12-2-2022 Students learned about One Call for All and finalized plans for fundraising.