67-year-old Joyce Wairepo receive Award Medal for teaching services

By Jimmy Nolan

On Friday 27 June the Solomon Islands National Teacher Association celebrated its 40th anniversary with the theme “Teachers in Solidarity Advocating for Better Working Conditions for Quality Education’’. 

A total of ten retired teachers from provincial education providers including Honiara were awarded medals for their exceptional service to the teaching profession.

Dr. Frank Rodie, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Education when presenting the awards acknowledged the individuals’ to the future of education in the Solomon Islands.

Among the recipients was 67-year-old Joyce Wairepo, who received her award medal under the Honiara Town Council Education Provider, who spent 38 years from 1980 to 2019 teaching.

Mrs Wairepo said receiving the medal was historic and meaningful for her.

“This honor medal is a memory of my teaching journey, my journey into education began during my childhood as I volunteered at my local Sunday school back in my home village,” she said

Hailing from Luava village in Temotu Province, Wairepo, recalled the moment she realized her passion for teaching. 

“Teaching is a job where you continue to learn about life and discover new things every day,” she said.

Mrs. Wairepo’s teaching career started in the early 1980s, with her probation at Lata as primary Teacher. 

It was there that she met her late husband, and together traveled around the province, teaching in various schools, including the Tikopia Islands.

 In 1986, they moved to Honiara, where her husband took a position as a Nursing lecturer at the College of High Education now the Solomon Islands National University.

She continued her career as a primary school teacher in Honiara, and later enrolled at the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education to become a secondary school teacher.

She began teaching in the Honiara City Council Secondary schools from 2006 until she retired in 2019.

Reflecting on her years in the classroom, Mrs  Wairepo expressed her gratitude, saying “Today I feel happy and honored’’.

“I did not expect this medal – I thank God for this award, teaching is not just about standing in front of a classroom, it’s about setting an example for students,” she said.

Despite her retirement, she currently remains dedicated, serving her community and continues her work as literacy advocate for her community.

[end]