Govt’s $6m help for education
The Government yesterday distributed about $6 million for private and mission schools around Samoa to help with their needs this year.
The Catholic schools received the most funding of $2.3million with the Congregational Christian Church Schools (C.C.C.S.) receiving $823,000.
The Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Loau Keneti Sio presented the money.
In addressing the school representatives yesterday, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi said in 1984 when the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) came into power, they only had $50,000 to distribute.
But dramatic growth reflects the growth in the Government’s ability to help as well as the demand from the schools.
The Prime Minister explained that the amount of funding for each school is determined by the number of students on the roll.
“I know that this is the most crucial time when all of you need this financial support because it’s the beginning of the year and you need to lay down all your annual plans, which this financial support will be used for,” he said.
He added the Minister of Education has brought to his attention the request from some mission schools for the Government to pay their teachers.
“That is what the Government wants as well is to help pay the teachers, hence why we are relying heavily on tax funds from the taxpayers who are willing to serve the country and its decision makings,” he said.
“And from the time this initiative started up until now, we will soon be able to do as requested and that is to help pay the teachers of your schools."
“So it won’t be long until we will be able to do this maybe in the year 2050 and by that time you all won’t be here anymore but the Cabinet will still be around to push through with this."
“But don’t worry, that is why I am heavily relying on the young couples to hurry up with making children so that we will have all those taxpayers so the Government will have more money to push through with all their plans.”
He also congratulated the principals as well as the teachers for their hard work in teaching the young future leaders of Samoa.
The event was held at the Cabinet room.
Catholic School - $2.3m
Don Bosco Alafua - $68,000
Don Bosco Savaii - $92,000
C.C.C.S. - $823,000
Methodist - $696,000
Laumua o Punaoa – $73,000
Uesiliana Vocational Center- $47,000
S.D.A. – $702,000
Manumalo Baptist Salelologa– $39,000
Manumalo Leone – $139,000
Manumalo Tuanai - $78,000
Anglican School –$ 34,000
Baptist Asau – $33,000
C.C.C.S. Vocation Salelologa – $25,000
Ah Mu Academy – $172,000
Le Amosa – $27,000
Faatuatua – $55,000
Peace chapel – $77,000
Pesega Fou – $71,000
R.L.S. –$ 204,000
Samoa Primary – $119,000
Vaiala Beach – $59,000
Cline Association – $6,000
Loto Taumafai – $77,000
Fiamalamalama – $24,000
N.O.L.A. – $21,000
Senese – $25,000
S.V.S.G. – $44,000