BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

TABAKA Technical Institution has recorded its highest student intake since its establishment, reflecting a growing demand for technical and vocational education in the province.

School principal Joash Lawrence confirmed that total enrolment has reached 497 students this year, a milestone for the institution.

Of the total number, 214 students are new intakes for 2026 while 283 are continuing students.

“At the moment we have 125 female students and 158 male students. Our total number of students should reach 500 if all the students arrived at the school,” Lawrence said.

He said enrolment has steadily increased over the past few years, rising from 184 new intakes in 2024 to 214 in 2025, and contributing to the current record figure.

Lawrence said the growing number of students seeking further education at the school highlights the need for additional space and improved infrastructure.

He explained that expanding facilities requires significant financial resources, something the school continues to struggle with.

Lawrence said the institution is already feeling pressure due to limited classroom and accommodation space, which restricts the number of students that can be accepted each year.

He said more support is needed to enable the school to create additional learning spaces and cater for students eager to pursue technical training in Gizo and surrounding communities.

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