The Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture (M.E.S.C.) is proposing a sports award ceremony for secondary school athletes, ahead of this year’s national school sports competition. 

The Ministry’s Assistant Chief Executive Officer (A.C.E.O.), Tafaese Spencer Tautu, made the announcement during the M.E.S.C.’s annual national conference on Thursday.

Speaking during the event, Tafaese said hopes are high that the national games will occur this year after the global pandemic cancelled every mass gathering last year.

The proposed award ceremony event is part of the Government's push to promote and develop Samoan athletes for international competition and in recognition that not all students are gifted academically.

The Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi, made this point during Parliament earlier in the week saying all constituencies, even villages should have a sports field to ensure the development of the youth in sports is encouraged. 

The national school games involve all high schools in Samoa going head to head in four zones divided sporting tournaments, where the best athletes and school teams are then picked to participate in the Champion of Champions finale.

The annual conference kicked off on Wednesday and closed on Friday with the Minister of Education, Loau Keneti Sio, reflecting on last year's cancelled conference due to bad weather as well as difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

He said the conference's theme of "learning today, leading tomorrow" was a timely reminder of the significance of access to education in order to counter any challenges or changes facing the world.  

He stated that the years 2019 and 2020 were unforgettable years because of major changes as a result of communicable diseases like measles and COVID-19. 

These changes led to the Ministry and school inspectors utilising modern technology to deliver lessons remotely to students in their homes. These efforts were acknowledged in his thanks to all teachers, Principals, school inspectors and the Ministry.

The conference included an induction programme for new Principals, vice-principals and teachers as well as online training for selected teachers.