A celebration echoed across the big island of Savai'i yesterday, in honour of Teachers' Day.

Hundreds of teachers from all around Samoa came together to celebrate their profession's contribution to the future of Samoa.

The two-day celebration started with a parade from the Apita-o-Pisaga hall to the Don Bosco hall; fun games at Don Bosco College’s school compound followed. 

The Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Loau Keneti Sio, opened proceedings by commending the teachers on their significant roles.

“Today’s event is very important,” he told the Samoa Observer.

“The purpose of today’s event is to commemorate the significant roles of teachers within our country.

“The other importance of this day is the message behind it.

“We decided to have a sports day this year to commemorate teacher’s day as a way of sending a message out to everyone and also to remind our teachers of the importance of exercising.

“This is a good opportunity for them to exercise and get out on the field and have a good time. You know they are usually stuck in the classrooms all day and have no time to exercise.I truly believe that if our teachers are healthy physically, they will be able to perform to the best of their ability in teaching our students. A healthy body is a healthy mind.

“We encourage our people not just our teachers to exercise and take time to participate in sports.

“As we see nowadays, most of our teachers are obese. And when you are obese; you get lazy to do what you’re required to do.

This year's event was extra special as it is held in Savaii.

“It saves their time and money having to travel to Apia most of the time,"he said. 

A special service will be held on Sunday at the Apita-o-Pisaga hall at Salelologa to conclud the celebration.