ACoM Education Symposium 2025: A New Chapter in Anglican Education in Melanesia

On Tuesday, 17th June 2025, the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACoM) will host a landmark event—the ACoM Education Symposium—at St Barnabas Cathedral Hall in Honiara, Solomon Islands. This one-day gathering marks a significant moment in the life of the Church and its mission in education, being the first of its kind in over two decades.
The symposium is the fruit of a resolution passed at the ACoM General Synod in November 2023 at Selwyn College. It called upon the Solomon Islands Education Department of ACoM to organise a comprehensive review and forward-looking dialogue on Anglican education across the region.
A Time for Reflection and Renewal
The symposium will bring together 60 invited participants, including representatives from government, teacher training institutions, early childhood education, primary and secondary schools, and Rural Training Centres (RTCs). These stakeholders will reflect on the past decade(s) of ACoM’s educational service delivery, share achievements and challenges, and chart a course for the future.
This event is particularly timely. The Solomon Islands Government, through its Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD), is currently implementing the National Education Action Plan (NEAP 2022–2026), which aligns with the new Education Act 2023. The NEAP calls for transformative action—“doing things differently”—to achieve meaningful reform. The ACoM Education Symposium seeks to align Anglican education with these national priorities while remaining rooted in the Church’s unique mission.
Guided by a Vision of True Religion, Sound Learning, and Useful Industry
From the days of Bishop George Augustus Selwyn, ACoM has upheld a vision of education that integrates faith, knowledge, and practical skills. This vision continues to inspire the Church’s commitment to nurturing future generations through holistic education.
The symposium’s objectives include:
– Reviewing progress in ACoM’s education delivery across Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
– Showcasing school programs and projects from 2024–2025.
– Identifying priorities for the next 10–15 years.
– Agreeing on strategic actions and partnerships for future development.
Expected outcomes include stronger collaboration among stakeholders, clarity on priority areas, and a renewed commitment to delivering quality, accessible, and relevant Anglican education
A Call to Prayer and Support
For UK supporters of the Melanesian Mission, this symposium is a powerful reminder of the Church’s enduring role in shaping lives through education. Your prayers, encouragement, and support are vital as ACoM embarks on this new chapter.
Let us join in prayer:
Gracious God,
We give thanks for the Anglican Church of Melanesia and its faithful witness through education.
Bless the upcoming ACoM Education Symposium—may it be a time of wisdom, unity, and vision.
Guide all participants as they reflect on the past and plan for the future.
May their efforts bear fruit in the lives of children, families, and communities across Melanesia.
Inspire us, as supporters, to walk alongside them in prayer and partnership.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.