Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare stated that a request has been forwarded to Taiwan to fund the free basic education programme which would cost at least three-million dollars. The government is seeking Taiwan's assistance until such time when the government was financially capable to take on that responsibility.

Mr Sogavare says that Taiwan had taken aboard the request for consideration and the responsible Solomon Islands officials will follow up that proposal with Taipei through the Taiwanese Embassy in Honiara.

Meanwhile, Mr Sogavare and his delegation departed for Taipei today with the Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian for a two-day visit before returning to Solomon Islands.