CSSI EDUCATION PROGRAM GETS SITESA APPROVAL
BY TAROMANE MARTIN
The Correctional Service of Solomon Islands (CSSI) officially received their recognition certificate from the Solomon Islands Tertiary Education and Skills Authority (SITESA).
An official launching ceremony was held at the CSSI Headquarters in Honiara on Wednesday August 6th, 2025, to mark this milestone event which sees CSSI as the first government agency to be awarded this.
“CSSI is proud to become the first government institution under the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services and across all Solomon Islands government agencies to reach this level for a formal training accreditation.
“This breakthrough was built on years of collaborative effort, rigorous research, consultations with stakeholders, and alignment of training programs with national standards. Importantly, we continue to benefit from the Australian government support delivering through direct funding agreement accounts for private infrastructure development,” CSSI Commissioner, Mactus Forau said.
Guests during the ceremony.
He said the Australian and Solomon Islands Partnership in Justice program provides crucial supplementary funding and procurement assistance for CSSI development, which includes initiatives such as the ministerial tour to Vanuatu to study their community justice and parole system.
“These contributions are helping us tackle pressing operational challenges, including overcrowding in all our correctional centers, deteriorating infrastructure, and the need for new and expanded facilities throughout the provinces in the Solomon Islands.
We also greatly acknowledge the Queensland Corrective Services, QCS, for their ongoing professional support and guidance throughout this process, particularly in shaping elements of our qualification.”
“In recognition of this milestone, I wish to acknowledge SITESA for your unwavering commitment and guidance through this process,” Commissioner Forau added.
Australia High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, H.E Rod Hilton said Australia is committed to help build a strong justice and security foundation to advance a safe, secure and prosperous Solomon Islands.
Australia High Commissioner H. E Rod Hilton delivering his remarks
“This is a huge milestone for CSSI to build well trained officers here in the Solomon Islands. Correctional Service is an important part in the law, justice and security architecture. It plays an important role in making sure offenders are held accountable during rehabilitation and help prepare inmates reintegration into the communities.”
“Australia and CSSI partnership over the past years has strengthened and together has achieved a lot in the commitment to build a safe and secure Solomon Islands,” Commissioner Hilton added.
Meanwhile, SITESA Chief Executive Officer, Constance Nasi stated that the recognition will put CSSI as a leader in quality education training in the country.
“SITESA’s national quality assurance process for education and training is comprehensive and demanding. It includes institutional audits, evaluation of training systems, course content and learning outcomes ensuring that institutions meet consistent national benchmarks.
“This achievement means that the training programs delivered by the academy are now officially validated under Solomon Islands law with the capacity to produce skilled competent graduates,” she said.
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