Australia is supporting infrastructure upgrades to the Red Cross Special Development Centre to reduce flooding, following an urgent call by the Solomon Islands Government.
The school was frequently forced to close due to flooding after heavy rain, with teachers working to clean mud from classrooms before students could return.
Gutters and drainage have now been upgraded to prevent this issue from occurring.
A new toilet block and kitchen have also been installed, along with roofing and gutter repairs. A new rainwater harvesting system, supported by backup water tanks, has been established, and plumbing upgrades completed to ensure a reliable and consistent water supply.
The project builds on Australia’s emergency support earlier this year to urgently upgrade water, sanitation, and accessibility facilities at the Solomon Islands’ only school for children with special needs.
Australian High Commissioner Jeff Roach said it was encouraging to see the immediate impact for the dedicated teaching staff and around 100 students with physical and intellectual disabilities.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to learn in a safe, healthy, and dignified environment,” Mr Roach said.
“The Red Cross Centre has long been a beacon of hope for children with special learning needs in Solomon Islands and their families. Australia is proud to have responded to community concerns and Minister Fuo’o’s call to urgently address flooding at the school, helping ensure these children can learn, grow, and thrive.”
Because the school supports students who are blind, deaf and living with other disabilities, extra care and attention to site safety during construction has been required.
Australia’s Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program has worked closely with local contractor Capitol Construction to ensure works have not disrupted learning and student safety.
Acting Principal Manmino Sare welcomed the progress, saying the upgrades would have a lasting impact on the school community.
“These improvements are already making a real difference in the daily lives of our students and teachers,” Ms Sare said.
“The new facilities and improved drainage have made our school a safer, healthier, and more comfortable place to learn. We are excited about the positive impact these upgrades will have on our students, their families, and the wider school community.”
Building on the success of these initial improvements, work will soon begin on the next phase of upgrades.
Phase 2 of the project will install a new, locally built classroom, and further upgrade the kitchen area so that it can also be used as a learning environment.
The refurbishment is being delivered through the Solomon Islands – Australia Partnership and reflects a shared commitment to ensuring children with disabilities have access to safe, inclusive and quality learning environments.
Source: Australian High Commission, Solomon Islands
