A US$2.5 million project to support the quality of education in Samoa was launched by the Ministry of Education and Culture and UNESCO.

It is called the Education Transformation Project, which aims to strengthen learning pathways in Samoa.

To ensure that every learner can thrive, Samoa is strengthening a coherent and responsive education system that supports children and young people from early childhood through primary and secondary schooling, and into post-school education, training and employment, while remaining firmly grounded in Samoan culture and values.

The Minister of Education and Culture, Hon. Afioga Aiono Alec Ekeroma, stated, “The Samoa System Transformation Grant reflects our commitment to inclusive, seamless education pathways for all learners, built on strong early learning foundations and grounded in Samoan culture and values, while strengthening equity and smooth transitions across the education system.”

Reaffirming GPE’s support for Samoa’s reform efforts, the Chief Executive Officer of the Global Partnership for Education, Laura Frigenti, said, “Samoa’s education reform agenda shows a strong commitment to building solid foundations and inclusive learning for every child. GPE is proud to support reforms that advance equity, coherence of the education system, and transition into further education, training, and employment, while remaining grounded in Samoan culture.”

The project is financed through a US$2.5 million STG from GPE, with Australia as the key contributor and influential partner of GPE in the Indo-Pacific, UNESCO serving as the Grant Agent and the New Zealand Commission acting as the Coordinating Agent. It supports the implementation of Samoa’s ESP 2025–2030 and advances the priority reform identified in the Partnership Compact, focusing on ensuring that learners can access multiple, relevant and inclusive pathways underpinned by strong foundations.

Highlighting UNESCO’s role as grant agent and long-standing partner, Sardar Umar Alam, UNESCO Regional Director for the Pacific States, said, “UNESCO deeply appreciates its partnership with the Government of Samoa, GPE, and development partners in advancing this important education reform agenda. The project provides instrumental support to the Government’s commitment to improving education quality, strengthening teaching andlearning, and advancing system-wide reform, as part of the broader transition reflected in the new Education Sector Plan and Partnership Compact. UNESCO remains committed to working closely with all partners to support implementation, strengthen system capacity, and ensure that reforms translate into improved learning outcomes for all learners in Samoa.”

Coordinating Agent, New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner, Lavea’i Ioane of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) said, “New Zealand is proud to stand alongside the Government of Samoa and the Global Partnership for Education as the Coordinating Agent. We do so in the spirit of a long-standing partnership, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to strengthening education systems that deliver the greatest benefit for Samoa learners.”

Australia’s High Commissioner, Will Robinson, said, "Through Australia’s investment in GPE, we are proud to see our shared efforts making a deep impact in the Pacific. Together with our regional partners, we are strengthening education systems, building resilience, and ensuring that every Pacific child has the opportunity to learn, grow and lead.”

The STG Education Transformation Project has been developed to align with Samoa’s long-term education reform priorities and respond to key system-wide challenges identified through evidence and consultation. These include low participation in early childhood education, gaps in foundational literacy and numeracy, gender disparities in learning outcomes, and limited progression pathways, particularly at the transition from secondary education to post-school education, training and employment.

The project will strengthen education across three stages: early childhood, primary, and secondary/TVET.  It aims to improve participation, quality, and smooth transitions at each level, focusing on foundational skills, inclusive and gender-responsive teaching, and relevant pathways to further education and employment. Across all outcomes, gender equality, inclusion, child safeguarding, and community engagement are key priorities, guided by Fa’aSamoa values like family, respect, and sacred relationships to ensure culturally responsive reforms supported by communities.

The quality of education is fundamental to Samoa’s long-term development. Through this project, the The Ministry of Education and Culture and its partners reaffirm their shared commitment to building a cohesive, inclusive and resilient education system that empowers learners at every stage of their educational journey and supports lifelong learning for all in Samoa.