Solomon Islands School Introduces Character Education
- Feb 11
- 2 min read
Honiara, Solomon Islands – In solidarity with UPF’s global campaign, ”100 Days of Harmony and Hope” which ended on February 1, 2026, a Hyojeong Character Education training program was held for school leaders and teachers of the New Hope Academy in Honiara, Solomon Islands, from January 12-16, 2026, with follow-up implementation discussions from 19-22 January 2026.
In a country with a median age of 21.8 years, the New Hope Academy school community recognizes that efforts to foster good character development in the classroom will help its students become good citizens for the future peaceful development and prosperity of the Solomon Islands.
New Hope Academy is a private school in the Solomon Islands established in 2011 by the local leadership team of UPF and affiliated organizations WFWP and FFWPU, with support from Solomon Islands Ambassadors for Peace. Its founding vision was to inspire the curiosity and dreams of its students and to instill both knowledge and good character. Recently, the New Hope Academy was ranked as the third best private school in the Solomon Islands.
A small grant from UPF-International enabled a training program for teachers in the Hyojeong Character Education curriculum, held just prior to the start of the 2026 school year. The curriculum aims to help students develop maturity of character, foster healthy family relationships, and strive to contribute positively to society.
Two online trainers from the Hyojeong Academic Foundation – Ms. Nancy Hewitt, international coordinator, and Mr. Olaleye Alao, international relations representative – teamed up with an onsite trainer, Dr. Jacinta Moreau, education director of UPF-Australia, to deliver the program. Presentations and Q&A sessions were organized into three levels: early childhood and lower primary, upper primary, and junior secondary.
Participants appreciated the focus on educating the head, the heart and the hands of students, rather than only the head. They gained new insights and ideas for guiding students to care for others, make good choices and follow their conscience. Moreover, several participants said they would apply their learning for their own self-improvement, to be role models for their students.
Following the teacher training, on January 23, two Hyojeong Character Education sessions were held for 30 young people. They stressed cultivating the three virtues of the conscience – wisdom, honesty and self-control – in order to make good choices in life.
Looking forward, stakeholders agreed to contextualize the Hyojeong Character Education curriculum for the Solomon Islands, as has been done in several other countries. This should assist the Ministry of Education of Solomon Islands to formally approve a character education curriculum for use at the New Hope Academy.
