Samoan children of school age

APIA: 29 Jan 2010 - Mission and Private Schools in Samoa have received funding under the Government’s scheme to pay for school fees as part of its education for all and compulsory education policy. T$4,375,000 was distributed to 17 Mission, Private Schools, Continuing education and Pre Schools under the scheme. Schools for special education received a quarter million tala.

The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi said the amount of money allocated for each school is based on the number of students on last years roll. Reverend Amosa Reupena of the Congregation Christian Church of Samoa Education system said the money will help develop the church schools.

Ae’au Chris Hazelman of the Catholic Education said, the money will increase the number of students in every school.

Meanwhile, Australia and New Zealand are funding the Samoa School Fee Grant Scheme that was launched today at the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture at Malifa.

Under the Grant Scheme, Australia has provided $2 million Australian dollars and New Zealand is contributing $1 million New Zealand dollars to support the Samoan Government implement the initiative.

The Australian High Commissioner, Matt Anderson and New Zealand’s High Commissioner Caroline Bilkey emphasized the importance of supporting education especially at formative years. This was echoed by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi who has always emphasized the importance of education to raise each family’s standard of living.

The scheme provides financial assistance to parents to pay for their children’s school fees as financial difficulties has been the main reason given why children of school age are selling goods on the streets instead of attending school.
The Prime Minister launched part of the scheme earlier this week where over $4 million tala was distributed to mission, private and government schools, under the same programme. A new compulsory education law will also support the grant scheme to give parents no excuse, for not sending their children to school.