New funding available for education research

By Sapeer Mayron 26 August 2018, 12:00AM

A desire for a thriving research culture is at the heart of a new strategy launched by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture (M.E.S.C.) on Friday. 

The Samoa Education Sector Research Strategy and Action Plan sets out six targeted research areas considered important to Samoa’s educational development.

Funding of up to $10,000 is available to research projects focusing one of these areas, which include primary education underachievement, heritage conservation, science, math, and engineering education, to name a few.

The strategy and action plan is being implemented in partnership between M.E.S.C., the Samoa Qualifications Authority and the National University of Samoa, which will be responsible for the funding.

Education Minister Loau Keneti Sio said improving Samoan education and training is one of Government’s key priorities. 

To do that, the education sector needs more research and this plan aims to fix that.

“The development of the research strategy aims to address the lack of evidence based research to inform the quality of education,” Loau said.

“Research will inform decision making, influence policy development and determine effective allocation of resources.”

The preparation of the plan was conducted by a sub-committee, chaired by N.U.S. Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academics and Research, Peseta Dr. Desmond Lee Hang.

Peseta presented a summary of the plan, taking care to outline the vision and mission statement of the project. 

“Our mission is to encourage, design and conduct relevant research of high quality that strengthens the education sector and its service delivery for the development of Samoa,” he said.

By making funding available and communicating clear guidelines and expectations, the plan hopes to encourage quality research that will ultimately inform education policy.

By Sapeer Mayron 26 August 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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