BY JOY OFASIA
Physical Education (PE) teachers in the Solomon Islands are receiving special training this week to help improve how sports and fitness are taught in schools.
The training, called the “Overseas Training Course on Coaching Capacity Building,” is being held at the Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport (SINIS) in Honiara. It’s a partnership between the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), the National Sports Council (NSC), and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.
The one-week training will finish on Sunday, and organizers hope its impact will last for years through stronger PE programs in schools and more active lifestyles for children. The goal is to help teachers become better sports coaches, encourage more physical activity in schools, and help young people live healthier lives.
The training is led by experts from Shandong Foreign Trade Vocational College in China, including Associate Professor Qu Zhenlin and Director Li Weicheng.
“This training helps our teachers to teach sports better, so our children can be more active and healthy from a young age,” said Jeffery Sade, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Home Affairs.
He added that the program will also help schools improve learning and promote health and inclusion across the country.
Counsellor Li Qinghua from the Chinese Embassy in Honiara said the training shows the strong friendship between China and the Solomon Islands.
“Sports are more than just games. They help build connections, share values, and bring our people closer,” he said during the opening ceremony.
This program is part of 11 training opportunities funded by the Chinese government in 2025 and is the first one to take place in the Solomon Islands this year.
Teachers from Honiara and other provinces like Western, Malaita, Choiseul, Isabel, Makira, Renbel, and Temotu are also taking part, making sure that schools across the country benefit.
