SINGING THE TEACHERS AND COUNCIL PRAISES
By: Joshua Lafoa’i
The Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture, (MESC) is singing praises for all the educators in Samoa as part of the celebration of Teachers week this week.
And Education Minister Loau Solamalemalo Keneti Sio is at the frontline reaffirming not enough can be said on the crucial role by teachers and their contribution in shaping the future of Samoa.
“It is important to remind our teachers to look back and reminisce on the work they have done. To remember the value of their achievements which is overlooked many a times,” the Minister says.
“If it weren’t for the great teachers who guided me as an individual when I was younger, I would be at Tanumalala or somewhere else not here,” he added.
Loau reiterated the position that teachers hold in society and the results of their works in the government of Samoa and its education system.
“We will always need teachers. That’s why I remind them to value the work they do because they are the shapers on what will be in the future for Samoa,” he added.
Loau hinted at the potential of the teachers council, that has included not only government employed teachers, but also private school teachers as well.
“The council will closely monitor the quality of teachers we have working in Samoa. That’s why we are placing a heavy emphasis on forging new qualified teachers to take on the future of Samoan education,” he added.
“Especially at NUS because that’s where our newer generation of teachers will pour out from,” he said.
“Mind you we started from just certificates for the older generation of teachers we had, then it got to diploma and now it’s a degree. Were three levels of qualifications now and that shows the growth of Samoan educators to date,” he said.
The Teachers council was established in 2019.
With a full seating of 13 official members of the Samoa Teachers Council (Council) in its meeting on April 10, 2019, a Chairperson, Matafeo Reupena Matafeo, was selected from amongst the Council’s teacher members in accordance with the Act.
Matafeo is a college principal who also currently holds the office of President for the Samoa Sosaiete o Faiaoga (Samoa Teachers Union).
