A large number of students failed national examinations and the results in English and Mathematics were low. Prime Minister, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, said this was disappointing.

He revealed this in his weekly press conference.

“The solution is to bring teachers from overseas,” he said.

He said it is important that these matters are revealed so the government can take appropriate action.

He said the list of schools was presented to the cabinet on Thursday, and members were surprised by the results. He explained that there are many schools, but not enough teachers, as districts are building too many schools. 

He said the Ministry of Education has lost teachers overseas, and some have changed jobs. The government has already prepared requests to development partners for help with the current situation of the education system. 

He explained that they are also looking at combining schools to help and suggested bringing in teachers from other countries, with the government planning to ask for help from development partners. 

“When I was in school, all my teachers were volunteers from Australia,” he said.

Laalialemalietoa said that in the past, exam papers were set in New Zealand for national exams, which maintained a high academic level. The shift to locally set papers contributed to declining reading and mathematics results.

He said there are other problems, such as papers being leaked and students copying, as the exam setting and marking are done in Samoa.  

“So the system is not working,” he said  

The Minister of Education has been advised to review the current education system.

Laaulialemalietoa said the government was working on a project to strengthen early childhood education. This initiative will also include providing nutritious meals for students. The programs are expected to begin either this year or next.

He said these ideas were not new. He said similar work was carried out in churches through Sunday schools and Bible studies, where children learned reading and the alphabet. 

The government is also preparing to expand scholarship opportunities by partnering with 20 new development partners in response to parents seeking additional support.

He added that the government is considering adjusting school hours to begin at 8 am and end at 1 pm, instead of the current 9 am start. The later start has been linked to students going home and engaging in fights in town, as well as arriving late to school each morning.

The Prime Minister announced a list of schools that are performing well and those that need more support.

Schools needing help: Leififi College, Faleata College, Alofi-taoa College, Leulumoega College, Wesley College, Vaimauga College, Anoamaa College, Mataevave College, Falealili College, Lotofaga  Lepa College, Savaii Sisifo College, Aana 2 College, Nuuausala College, Safata College, Uesiliana College, St Pope Paul VI College, Palauli Sisifo College, Aleipata College, Chanel College.

Schools doing well: Samoa College, St Mary’s College, Maluafou College, Church College Pesega, Avele College, Faatuatua College, St Joseph College, Itu-o-Tane College,  Church College Vaiola, Tuasivi College, Palalaua College, Asau College, Le Amosa, Lefaga College, Robert Louis Stevenson College, Papauta Girls College, Sagaga College, Don Bosco College, Samoa Advantage, Aana 1 College, Amoa College.

Questions were emailed to the Minister of Education, Aiono Alec Ekeroma, and the CEO of Education, Aeau Christopher Hazelman, on Tuesday, 20 January, requesting the results of the national exams, specifically whether there was an increase or decrease in outcomes compared to previous years. Follow-ups were made regularly, but as of press time, there has been no response to the emails.