Solomon Islands rolls out new teacher pay structure under Education Act 2023, ensuring fair, performance-based salaries.
The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) has officially
launched the implementation of the new Teachers’ Pay Structure and Classification, effective
today, Thursday, 15th May 2025.
This marks a significant step in the ongoing implementation of the Education Act 2023,
which aligns with the Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) policy of
education.
The initiative underscores the government’s ongoing commitment to improving and
supporting the teaching profession in a fair and equitable manner.
Teachers play a critical role in educating the nation’s children and preparing them for future
careers and life – they are highly valued for the essential work they do in educating the
nation’s children.
The introduction of this new pay structure reinforces the Solomon Islands Government’s
commitment to upholding the teaching profession with dignity and fairness.
Starting 15th May 2025, all teachers across the country will have received their salaries under
the new pay structure, following the completion of a comprehensive teacher data verification
and validation process.
This process involved collaboration between the MEHRD Teaching Service Division, the
MEHRD Education Management and Information System (EMIS), and the Aurion payroll
system, managed jointly by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) and the Ministry of
Public Service.
The new position-based teacher classification applies to classroom teachers, senior classroom
teachers, and school leaders or principals, ensuring equity and fairness in salary distribution.
Additionally, it establishes a foundation for performance-based salary progression in the
future. This new salary structure operates independently of the Public Service Unified Pay
Structure and applies to all school-based teachers at both the primary and secondary levels.
Phase 1 of the teacher classification and salary concentrated on teachers teaching the Primary
Preparation Year, Primary Schools and Secondary Schools. Phase 2 will concentrate on
TVET teachers and Early Childhood Education (ECE) centre teachers, and the review of
teachers’ allowances.
TVET and ECE Teachers
Dr Rodie stated that for teachers in the Rural Training Centres, integration into the new
structure will be addressed in Phase 2, which will be the next project undertaken by MEHRD
in preparation for implementation, ideally in 2026. In the meantime, teachers at the Rural
Training Centres will continue to receive their fortnightly salaries at the current level/rate
they have been receiving up to this payday (Thursday, 15 May). MEHRD is in the process of
finalizing a TVET policy aimed at modernizing the TVET system in the country, with plans
for implementation around June/July 2025. Once this policy is in place, the classification and
salary structure for Rural Training Centre teachers will be aligned with the newly introduced
wage structure for primary and secondary teachers.
Similarly, new ECE teachers who may have joined ECE centres in 2025 but are not yet
registered with MEHRD may be paid according to the previous ECE wage level, provided
they register as ECE teachers with MEHRD. As part of the revised Education System
structure, in accordance with the Education Act, 2023, children aged 3 to 4 years are expected
to attend ECE classes. MEHRD is also finalizing a policy to modernize the ECE teacher
classification and salary structure to align with the new framework.
Registered ECE teachers who were previously recruited by ECE operators and have since
been reassigned by the Ministry (starting in 2023) to teach 5-year-old children in the Primary
Preparation Year (PPY) classes throughout the country’s primary schools are expected to
receive the new pay structure. Job Evaluation and Allowances
The new pay structure is based on the results of an extensive job evaluation of teachers and
school leaders. Benchmarking was conducted against roles with similar responsibilities and
complexity, considering factors such as qualifications, experience, teacher standards, and
working conditions.
MEHRD is also working on a proposed supplementary allowance scheme, similar to those in
other public service professions. The aim is to streamline administrative processes by
consolidating allowances into a single pay package. Budget and Cost
The rollout of the new pay structure and classification is supported by the 2025 MEHRD
Payroll budget, which totals $64 million. This budget was approved by both Cabinet and
Parliament in 2024. Dr. Rodie, emphasized that the reform was long overdue but
acknowledged the significant amount of work required to make it a reality. This included
reviewing and replacing the Teaching Service Handbook (2011) with new Administrative
Instructions, as well as conducting research to ensure the teacher classification and salary
structure were comparable to those in other Pacific Island countries or developing countries
who face circumstances as our country’s education system.
An experienced technical advisor, who had worked in the education sectors of three Pacific
Island countries, was brought in to assist the Senior Management Team at MEHRD, as well
as staff from the Teaching Service Division, Education Providers, to develop the newly
introduced Teacher Classification and Salary Structure. MEHRD also received technical
support from the Ministry of Public Service, and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury
Payroll staff, as well as the Aurion system experts. These collaborative efforts were vital to
the successful completion of what is now described today as the “re-levelling” of teachers’
salaries, which essentially represents a salary increase for teachers. Dr. Rodie confirmed that
the pay-out to teachers cover the backpay for teachers, effective from 2nd February 2025.
Dr. Rodie also confirmed that teachers are entitled to a 3% Cost of Living Adjustment
(COLA), with backdated payments to account for any delays in processing. These payments
are expected to be made to teachers, and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury will inform us
the actual date when the COLA would be paid to teachers.
Dr. Rodie extends his acknowledgement and thanks to the Governments of Solomon Islands,
Australia and New Zealand through the Education Sector Support Program for the financial
and technical assistance rendered to the Ministry of Education and Human Resources
Development to make the Teacher Salary Relevelling project a reality.
SOURCE: MEHRD PRESS
