PM Sogavare officially opens BAC 75th Anniversary Celebration
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare delivering his remarks at the opening of the 75th Anniversary of Betikama Adventist College.
Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare officially opened the Betikama Adventist College (BAC) 75th Anniversary Celebrations tonight.
The 4-day event started today with a float parade from the SMI grounds to the BAC compound, followed by an official program in the evening.
Former and current BAC students came out in numbers to join the float parade despite the rainy weather.
Delivering his remarks, Prime Minister Sogavare conveyed the governments gratitude to Betikama for its contributions to the country’s education sector.
“I would like to acknowledge Betikama Adventist College for providing quality Secondary education to many Solomon Islanders who went on to acquire higher education in various regional and metropolitan universities within and outside the region.”
“Many of these Solomon Islanders have become useful additions to the workforce of the country in different occupations and professions. As a matter of fact, four Prime Ministers of our beloved country attained their higher education at this school. That is the highest number of Prime Ministers that hail from any schools in the country. ”
Prime Minister Sogavare, who is also a former student of BAC then spoke highly of the teachings provided by BAC as an Adventist Institution in the country.
He encouraged those attending the event to remember the true meaning of the 75 years of Adventist Education provided by BAC.
Established in 1948, BAC is among the 121 education institutions currently operated by the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Education Authority in Solomon Islands.
This comprises of 5 early childhood centers, 89 primary schools, 13 secondary schools, two vocational colleges, a Bible school, and a nursing school.
It was first a senior primary school, before becoming a national secondary school to differentiate it from provincial secondary schools.
In its later years, it became what is known today as the Betikama Adventist College.
The anniversary celebrations will end on Sunday.
ENDS//