Foreword

This Science Syllabus is to be used by teachers to teach secondary Learners from Year 7 to Year 9 through out Solomon Islands. It builds upon concepts, skills, attitudes and values from primary school and links to concepts, skills, attitudes and values in science learning in secondary schools, thus providing a sound foundation for further scientific learning.

This Secondary Science Syllabus is a three (3) years program designed for the Secondary Education in Solomon Islands. It is designed to provide Learners opportunities to do basic training in Science from Year 7 to Year 9. It is as useful for those who leave school at the end of three years in their basic education as well as for those continuing into higher and further scientific studies.

Indigenous science is our livelihood, which we have inherited from the past generations. It consists of wealth of knowledge and skills about the way we live and interact with our environment. Therefore, modern science concepts should not be over-emphasised, such that they should replace our Indigenous scientific practices. Instead, they should complement our Indigenous scientific concepts and practices to improve our scientific knowledge, skills and attitudes to a level that will benefit us in our future livelihood. This can contribute to enhance our social and economic development. Science education provides a foundation for a highly knowledgeable, skilled and innovative workforce, which is crucial to address the needs of the industrial and technological advancement of Solomon Islands.

The challenge for science teachers is to use the syllabus to shape the learning experiences of all learners with the mind to support their development as independent and lifelong learners. Science teachers must always keep in mind the aims of teaching Science and effective integration of processed skills and attitudes as outlined in the secondary science syllabus.

As the Minister responsible for the provision of education services in the Solomon Islands, I now endorse this syllabus as the official document for teaching and learning of Science in Secondary Schools throughout the Solomon Islands.

Hon. Reuben Inoana Dick Ha’amori
Honourable Minister of Education, 2013
Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development