solomon islands

Solomon Islands (population: 669,823 in 2019) has a primary net enrolment rate of 67.5% (2018)¹, a secondary net enrolment rate of 31.1% (2007)¹ and a gross enrolment rate of 48.3% (2012)¹. The youth unemployment rates (15-24 years old) is 4.5% (2018)². Solomon Islands College of Higher Education offers: teacher training; finance; nursing; secretarial studies; a range of technical subjects related to Solomon Islands’ economy, such as marine and fisheries studies, forestry and agriculture; and some first-year university courses. Solomon Islands is a partner in the regional University of the South Pacific (USP), which supports public efforts to increase access to affordable and relevant tertiary educational services within the region.  

Internet connectivity is available to 12% (2017)³ of the population, and mobile-cellular subscriptions are at 71 per 100 people (2019)³. Infrastructure is available for distance and technology-enabled learning and for expanding access to education and training in Solomon Islands. In the National Education Action Plan 2016–2020, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development recognises there is a reliance on the face-to-face model of training and professional development and expresses the intention to explore the use of ICT in delivering training. For more information, read COL Country Report: Solomon Islands 2015-2021. 

1. UNESCO Institute for Statistics Data Centre, retrieved in June 2021
2. International Labour Organization (ILO), ILOSTAT database, retrieved in July 2021 
3. International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ICT Eye Country profile, retrieved in March 2020