A big boost for Science in Faleu

24 September 2017, 12:00AM

A handover ceremony for $6,000 worth of Science equipment and supplies from the Australian Government Direct Aid Program (D.A.P.) was held Friday at the Faleu Primary School Hall.

The occasion was attended by representatives and guests from the Australian High Commission, the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture, Parents and Teachers Association and the Member of Parliament from the Aiga i le Tai District. 

The initiative was undertaken by Faleu Primary school and the Parents and Teachers Association (Faleu, Leipuiai, Apai villages) in partnership with the Alii and Faipule of Faleu to increase knowledge and interest in Science and to improve student's grade point average.  

Australian Government supports the view that a healthy and educated population is the cornerstone of building a strong and resilient Samoa.  Australian High Commission representative Melissa Michael in her speech to teachers and students expressed the view that through science "the world opens  up" in many exciting and remarkable ways.

Faleu Primary School Principal, Maima, is very appreciative of this support.  

"Our teachers have the knowledge but have lacked resources to teach science,” Maima said. 

“We thank the Australian Government and the Australian High Commissioner, other donors and the Samoan Government through the Ministry of Education for their great support. 

We also thank the Parent Teacher Association and the Faleu Village Council Development Committee, in particular, for helping us secure funds and valuing quality education for our students. In the future we plan to jointly conduct science events with Salua Primary School and have a dedicated science room."

M.E.S.C. A.C.E.O, Leota Velma Galuvao, and Member of Parliament, Mulipola Laki, also expressed their gratitude to the Australian Government for the excellent support received for science particularly for the rural schools where resources such as these are very limited.

The D.A.P. assistance was supplied by the Samoa Stationary and Books and included  a microscope, a video projector and screen, a range of equipment for chemistry experiments, posters, prisms, lenses and magnets.  

Navigator Ltd supplied the fish tank and fittings.  Other donors assisted with a locking science cabinet from Road Scholar (visiting tourists), microscope slides and science books from  Leiataualesa Dr. Richard Gibson and Amituanai Dr. Cecilia Alailima Gibson and a manual to raise fish in tanks written especially for Faleu Primary School by Dr. Ian Charles. 

The Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture contributed with valuable advice and video programs to go with the science experiments.  Leiataualesa Kilali Alailima served as the Science project manager. 

24 September 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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