More than a hundred students at The Learning Centre (T.L.C.) will benefit from 15 new laptop computers courtesy of Germany.

The computers, valued at $24,272.95, were presented by Samoa’s Honorary German Consul, Tagaloa Christa Szegedi, on Wednesday.

Tagaloa said that the laptops were a gift from the Embassy of Germany as their distance-learning response to Samoa coping with COVID-19 pandemic.

To commemorate the occasion, Tagaloa also presented the Centre with a plague which illustrated the partnership between Samoa and Germany.

“We are so grateful for the laptops,” said Centre Director, Marj Moore. 

She said that the students who attend T.LC. for after-school tutoring in English and Mathematics come from Government, Mission and Private schools from Year 1 to 13 levels.

“Being able to select up-to-date educational material to add to the more traditional resources we have is wonderful.

“It also broadens their I.T. literacy skills they acquire during their tutorial sessions, while giving them the confidence to further access online learning resources at school, home or in their parents’ workplaces.”

While many of the students are attending the Centre to extend their learning day or to access individual help, others have been enrolled by parents concerned that their children’s achievement levels are below their chronological ages (often because English is their second language).

“We also have a significant number of students who have never touched a keyboard before their first tutoring session,” said Ms. Moore.

“Then there are also the very bright students who attend for extension work.”

Should schools close again, either because of COVID-19 or a future natural disaster, the laptop and internet connectivity delivered by Germany’s Distance Learning response to COVID-19 project will enable T.L.C. students to access a wide range of distance learning options at all times.

Tagaloa also conveyed that the purpose of these laptops is to provide children with the opportunity to learn by using laptops and to get access to great learning materials.

“Even in these COVID-19 times, the children are our future and need to be given the necessary tools for further self-development.

“At the end of the day, these laptops are for you, for your education and for you to learn as much as possible.

“It is a real pleasure for me as the German Consul to Samoa to be here with you. I also bring special greetings from his Excellency the German Ambassador to Samoa, Stefan Krawielicki.”

Mr. Krawielicki is based in New Zealand could not attend due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The German consul also expressed her admiration her admiration for Ms. Moore for the work in establishing the learning centre.

“Her dedication to ensuring excellence when it comes to teaching is also one of the main reasons why the German government has decided to partner up with the Learning Centre.

Tagaloa also encouraged all the students to continue to attend the Centre and make use of the laptops.

She also highlighted the great history and friendship between Germany and Samoa which has made the project possible.