P.M. Tuilaepa supports school inspectors’ return

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 09 August 2017, 12:00AM

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, has strongly supported the decision by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture to reinstate school inspectors. 

He said this is the result of teachers who are not “honest” in carrying out their daily duties.

 “The poor test results and the education performance is another reason,” said Tuilaepa, who noted significant changes since the school inspectors were removed.

“Teachers were dishonest when it comes to teaching and the main reason for these school inspectors is to monitor the teachers and their performance in the classrooms,” he said. 

Last month, Minister of Education, Sports and Culture Loau Keneti Sio also supported the decision.

He told the Samoa Observer there have been many problems arising between school principals, teachers and the Ministry of Education since inspectors were removed.

“With the school inspectors, their job is to solve whatever disputes there are between the Ministry and the principals of schools. 

“They look at the needs of each school and then they inform the Ministry that this is what should be done in this school and that school.

“And also, whatever problems the principal or teachers have with the Ministry, the inspectors will voice these to the Ministry. 

“The Ministry of Education Sports and Culture headquarters is at Malifa and when we talk about schools we are looking at the whole of Samoa. 

“The Ministry cannot see what is happening in places like Asau and in other schools in rural areas because they are far away. 

“So bringing back school inspectors, means they will be the eyes and ears of the Ministry of Education and a voice for every school in Samoa.” 

Loau added that having school inspectors means changes and as a Minister of Education there needs to be changes for the betterment of the education sector. 

“We have a lot of issues within the education sector and as Minister, I need to look at ways to solve them,” he said. 

“For example there is an issue with science. A lot of students are choosing to take law and other career paths because they say science is hard. 

“However, if we look at it, the problem arises from the grassroots from Year 1 to Year 4. Students need to learn about science from a young age so that when they get up to tertiary level, they fully understand about the subject.  

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 09 August 2017, 12:00AM

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