Students in secondary schools will get their national examination results on the 18 January, says the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture (M.E.S.C.).

A statement issued by the Education Ministry, says that provisional results will be released to college Principals, while the last day for recounts is 22 January.

The Ministry said that a total of 42 colleges nationwide came to a standstill during the nine days over which the national examinations were held.

M.E.S.C. said that more than 2,300 students participated in the Year 12 Samoa School Certificate (S.S.C.) examinations.

Another 1,883 students sat the Year 13 Samoa School Leaving Certificate (S.S.L.C.). exams.

Overall, the students of Year 12 had 17 subjects of their choice to sit for their exams; Year 13 students had 18 subjects for potential examination subjects. 

The Ministry of Education noted that, in 2020, four colleges sat the Development Studies examination.

For more than 10 years the subject was offered at only one college; it is also a subject that is taught and examinable at Year 13 level only.

The 2020 National Examinations was held four weeks later than usual due to preventative safety measures imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the national state of emergency. 

Schools were briefly forced to close down.  

“The pandemic had taken its toll globally and Samoa responded accordingly,” the Ministry said.

M.E.S.C. also explained that the Ministry moved to delay examinations whilst teachers ensured the full curriculum was covered so students could be fairly tested.

Given the postponement, the Ministry says it had to work through typical Public Service Commission holidays to help parents and students make and confirm plans for their children; in particular, those wishing to enter the National University of Samoa or other tertiary and post-secondary training institutes.

The Minister said the year 2020 had been one of if not the most challenging year it had ever faced.

“Nonetheless, for many of our young people in Samoa, all that focus is quickly being replaced with anticipation, anxiety, and fervent hope that one’s examination results will bring a light of reprieve and thankfulness," the Ministry said. 

“No doubt all colleges will be expecting parents and students eager to uplift their results.”