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More of a Good Thing
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NO SPACE Falevalu Primary School, itself in need of repair, will temporarily accommodate students from the overcrowded Malifa school compound
Back from the weekend, students start their school day by picking up the litter on the grounds of the spacious Malifa school compound, Samoa’s largest and best-known public school, located in the capital of Apia. But all is not well.
“Children pick rubbish in school,” remarks an education specialist, referring not only to the early morning ritual but also to the quality of education. “They only have a blackboard and chalk for education tools. Students merely copy what the teacher writes on the blackboard and chant things back—learning is not interactive.”
Despite the poor classroom conditions, Samoans value education. The nation has a 98% adult literacy rate.
Aware that the Malifa compound was not conducive to learning, the Government sought its first loan for education from ADB in 2000, amounting to $7 million from the concessional Asian Development Fund. The project is aimed at upgrading schools in and around Apia to attract students away from Malifa. The target is to reduce overcrowding by developing six primary schools and two secondary schools near the compound, and directing students to those schools.
“I haven’t been able to concentrate well in my classes, especially when I am at the back,” says Salometaioa Peteli, a student at the Leififi Junior Secondary School within the Malifa compound. “We’re too many in our class. I’m glad I’ll be graduating soon.” When asked about their needs, student Finephilin Darcid, who wants to be a lawyer someday, says, “We wish we could have computers and a better library. Also, we do not have enough toilets and the water supply is poor.”
Adding to the woes is overcrowding: the Malifa classes are the country’s most congested with one teacher for every 50 students—twice as many as the recommended ratio. More than 4,300 students are enrolled in the three primary schools and the Leififi Junior Secondary School in the Malifa compound.
It is commonly believed that students get a better education at the government-run Malifa school than in the schools run by village committees, so many parents move to Apia in Upolu island or children board or stay with relatives near the Malifa compound.
Though eager learners, a lot of Samoan students never finish their education. From 1993 to 1999, about 4,500 students nationwide dropped out of primary or secondary school because of failing grades, according to a 1999 demographic and health survey.
By the end of 2002, about 500 students will be transferred from Malifa to nearby schools, says Peter Kelly, Project Development Specialist. To counter resistance to transferring, an awareness campaign on the benefits of the education project is being undertaken.
Aside from increasing access to education, new classrooms with equipment and materials for specialist subjects will be provided to support the new curriculum. The project will also provide library facilities and a comprehensive in-service training program to assist teachers in delivering the curriculum better and improve school management.
In a visit to the Falefitu Primary School, on the eastern side of Upolu island, workers were busy putting the finishing touches on a pink and blue façade. Sixteen classrooms are being refurbished to accommodate as many as 600 children, which includes installing toilets and a water tank.
On the other side of the island at the Falevalu Primary School, Principal Faasalafa Moresi, points to the stairs leading to the second floor. “The cement is falling, and water puddles inside the classrooms when it rains.” Her school is among those that will welcome students from the Malifa compound. “We are thankful that we are going to receive help to improve our schools.”
The new Malifa Primary School will have a school committee to assume management and maintenance of the facilities, financial accountability, and policy-making responsibilities on school admission and fees.
The communities, through the matai or governing system in the village, will also be encouraged to commit to maintaining the local schools. The aim is for schools to be built professionally and for the community members to maintain them.
When completed in 2004, the Education Sector Project will benefit about 10,000 to 12,000 students of the subproject schools, train about 600 teachers, and improve teaching resources. With these improvements, Samoa’s students will have a better environment in which to learn.
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Review ADB's recently approved Policy on Education
Read also Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Through Education - Asessing Development Impact Series No. 1
Learn more about ADB's activities in Samoa
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