Investigate ‘appalling’ results, Govt. told

The government has been asked to investigate the problems associated with the “appalling” examination results of students.

The recommendation is revealed in a Parliamentary Committee report, tabled and discussed in Parliament during its last sitting. A copy of the report has been obtained by the Samoa Observer.

Chaired by Associate Minister, Lenatai Victor Tamapua, the Education, Science, Communication and Information Technology Committee (E.S.C.I.T.C.) also noted that teacher scarcity was an issue faced by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture (M.E.S.C.).

According to the report, M.E.S.C. confirmed that at the time of Committee deliberations, examination results were unsatisfactory and that a review of the curriculum has already been carried out.

“There are various reasons, and one factor would be the qualification of Teachers and the delivering of subjects to the students, as confirmed by the Ministry,” the report reads.

“However, the reason may also depend on the students. The Ministry is monitoring these reasons.”

In regards to this matter, the Committee recommended that government “investigates the problems associated with the appalling examination results”.

“Supports visitations to monitor and assess progress of teaching services throughout the Nation especially to Primary Level,” the report says.

The E.S.C.I.T.C. also asked the government to consider the problem of lack of teachers, in order to improve the Curriculum to go hand in hand with the availability of qualified Teachers.

“The teacher development framework is one of the core developments that the Ministry has focused on due to the weight it carries on the implementation and success of its other programs,” the report reads.

“In the year 2009, the fast track program began.

“The Teacher Development Policy Analyst, School Improvement Consultant and School Operations staff continued to meet and discuss policies stipulated in the National Teacher Development Framework.

“These meetings and discussions were scheduled in preparation for the arrival of the Consultant under the Samoa/Australia Partnership to finalise this framework.

“In the year 2010, the draft of the Program was given to the Directors of the Program.

“The Inspectors in collaboration with the Teachers Development program in order to identify activities in accordance with the Program.

The E.S.C.I.T.C. report in 2011, there were achievements under the Program as well as Teachers graduating with Diplomas from the National University of Samoa, of which these teachers were distributed to various schools in need of teachers.

“The Committee noted that this Program is monitored by the Ministry extensively, as well as ongoing inspections throughout the nation in order to carry out trainings for Teachers in alignment with the aim of the Program,” according to the report.

In its report, the Committee recommended that the government enforces requirements of Law, which provides for students to attend school during school hours.

“There should also be in place legal conditions for students who are selling goods and products after school hours,” the report reads. In addition to Lenatai, the committee members are Deputy Chairman Ifopo Matia Filisi, Levaopolo Talatonu, Tusa Misi Tupuola, Aveau Nikotemo Palamo, Tuileutu Alavaa Voi and Tufuga Gafoaleata Faitua. The Parliamentary Committee’s Report on MESC’s Annual Reports for 2009, 2010 and 2011 reads:

6. FINDINGS:
The Committee noted that with the three years (2008/2009, 2009/2010 & 2010/2011) that were being considered, the immense achievements by the Ministry especially in its training programs for educators. The Ministry’s achievements for the three years under consideration reflect compliance with Government policies regarding operation of services. The Committee also noted that following the core areas of operation were prioritized by the Ministry;

- School Buildings:
The Education Sector Programs are still ongoing, with the aim to obtain funding from overseas as in partnership with JICA and the Government of China.

Under this Program a school building for Alofi o Taoa College, while the school building for the districts of Aana and Lefaga are in its final phase of completion. By 2011 there had been an increase in the number of school buildings built and refurbished.

In the year 2009, the Government of Japan (JICA) approved construction of three (3) new school buildings for Leulumoega Secondary School, Saleapaga Secondary School and Vaimea Secondary School. This agreement was endorsed on the 13 December 2007, however it was not completed within this year as stated in the Budget for the year 2007.

In the year 2010, three (3) new school buildings were built, which comprised of two new buildings for Aele Secondary School (8 classrooms), Matautu-Lefaga Secondary School (12 classrooms) and the refurbishment of a school building at Vaitele-Uta. These were constructed by funds granted from China.

In 2011, six (6) Secondary school buildings with eight (8) classrooms were built, which included buildings for the Saleapaga Secondary School, Vailoa-Faleata Secondary School, Saleaaumua Secondary School, Gogaemalae Secondary School. Saanapu Secondary School and the Falealupo Secondary School and for Falealii College paid for under the Tsunami Funds.

This program is still in progress and the Committee noted the contribution by the Government to this development. As confirmed by the Ministry, all schools involved in the Education Sector Programme are given priority to be transformed to Colleges.

- Qualified Teachers:
The teacher development framework is one of the core developments that the Ministry has focused on due to the weight it carries on the implementation and success of its other programs.

In the year 2009, the fast track program began. The Teacher Development Policy Analyst, School Improvement Consultant and School Operations staff continued to meet and discuss policies stipulated in the National Teacher Development Framework. These meetings and discussions were scheduled in preparation for the arrival of the Consultant under the Samoa/ Australia Partnership to finalise this framework.

In the year 2010, the draft of the Program was given to the Directors of the Program. The Inspectors in collaboration with the Teachers Development program in order to identify activities in accordance with the Program.

In 2011, there were achievements under the Program as well as Teachers graduating with Diplomas from the National University of Samoa, of which these teachers were distributed to various schools in need of teachers. The Committee noted that this Program is monitored by the Ministry extensively, as well as ongoing inspections throughout the nation in order to carryout trainings for Teachers in alignment with the aim of the Program.

- Curriculum/ Subject Materials:
In the year of 2009, implementation of the program was carried out, with the Aim of the Policy for the Development of the Curriculum as well as the need to introduce more subjects. For the training programs conducted, a Strategic Advisor were brought in, as well as visitations to High School and Colleges, in order to assess the current level of education in order to implement this program.

In 2010 policy for this program was launched. The establishment of school for the district of Fagaloa was established, as part of Phase l of the Education Sector Program. I25 students were registered for the seven courses being offered, English, Samoan, Business Studies, Agriculture, Music and Arts and Crafts. The aim of this program is to allow access to all students to be educated in the vast courses. However, due to the limited number of students the continuation of such a prospective Program was changed. Also the submission by the Ministry to the Cabinet to construct a school building was also declined. This resulted in the Donors withdrawing its funds from the Program. The Ministry did however confirm that this program is an output in its budget and will be funded by the Government.

In 2011, other activities of this Program were achieved;

1. Guideline for Primary Schools and materials;
2. Review Policy for Children with special needs and inserted into the Policy for Inclusive education;
3. Review of course materials for the seven subjects for Secondary Schools;
4. Implement to Secondary Schools usage of course materials;
5. Preparation of E-sources for the 19 courses for High School Level
6. Preparation and Compilation of materials for Christian Studies

- Examination Results:
The Ministry confirmed that at the time of Committee deliberations, examination results were unsatisfactory and that a Review of the Curriculum has already been carried out. There are various reasons, and one factor would be the qualification of Teachers and the delivering of subjects to the students, as confirmed by the Ministry. However, the reason may also depend on the students. The Ministry is monitoring these reasons.

6.1 OTHER PROGRAMS:
- Sports Programs are still ongoing under grants from the Australian Government. At time of Committee deliberation a physical education program has been outlined.

- On the Culture division, there are some complicating factors faced by the Ministry and they are doing the best they can for the satisfaction of its partners on the fact that Culture is owned by the country as a whole not only the Ministry.

- The continuation of teacher’s scarcity is an ongoing issue faced by the Ministry and it is a challenge to the Ministry every year. Even though the year 2010 mark an increase of Teachers, the truth is that more number of students also increased.

- The School Fees Scheme by the Government was successful at the year, however, the Ministry note that some schools used it to pay for their water bill. It has also been noted that there a number of children who are not attending school during school hours. At the moment the Ministry is planned negotiations with the Ministry of Police in order to enforce this Law. The Committee is of the view that the issue of children selling products and goods in public areas after school hours should be legalised.

- Partnership between the Ministry and School Committees in Rural areas are still ongoing, and the exceptional contribution by these Committees are noted especially regarding in the progress work of Teachers as well as the health and safety of the students. In the development of the Program the Samoa Parliamentary Advocacy Group on Healthy Living has contributed immensely. The Committee also witnessed big improvements in School Nutrition Programs, the sanitation of restrooms and the refurbishment of hazardous school buildings were noted.

-The Ministry seeks to better improve its School Net Program. Principals have selected Teachers to be trained. These trainings are supported by the Government of Australia, and conducted by Professionals.

6.2 COMMITEE VISIT:
The Committee were able to visit Secondary Schools in the district of Vaimauga and one of the Secondary Schools in the district of Faleata on the 3rd July 2012, also noted ongoing Programs by the Ministry to educate children. These Schools are: - Letogo Secondary School; - Moataa Secondary School;

- Falefitu Secondary School;
- Vaimoso Secondary School; The Committee noted the ongoing progress with the teaching services provided to these schools. Working together with the School Committee is at its best. Communications between the schools and the Ministry are progressing however there are services which need improvements this is dealt with directly by the School Committee. The Committee also noted the improvements from visitations carried out by the Samoa Parliamentary Advocacy Group on Healthy Living (SPAGHL) to the above stated schools, which are still being carried out by the school to ensure a healthy and sanitary environment for the students. The Committee noted an increase in the number of students (917) for the Secondary School of Vaimoso. As confirmed by the Principal, this is a result due the enforcing children to attend school. Although there is a need to limit the number of students, however parents are determined to have their children attend the school due to the location and in order to fulfil their responsibilities. The schools have determined that some of the new students are because of cases of divorce.

7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
The Committee acknowledged the important contribution by the Ministry in the development of its services especially in the progress and improvement of the support of the Ministry in order to upgrade the standard of education for the students of the Nation.

8. RECOMMENDATIONS:
Based on its Findings, the Committee recommends that the Government:-
1. Enforces requirements of Law which provides for students to attend school during school hours. There should also be in place legal conditions for students who are selling goods and products after school hours.
2. Investigates the problems associated with the appalling examination results. Supports visitations to monitor and assess progress of teaching services throughout the Nation especially to Primary Level.
3. Recognises its role in developing schools in rural areas, with regards to building a strong relationship between School Committees and Teachers in order to sustain areas to improve the services for future benefits of students as well as the safety of the school buildings for the students.
4. Considers the problem of Lack of teachers, in order to improve the Curriculum to go hand in hand with the availability of qualified Teachers.

9. RESOLUTION:
At the conclusion of its consideration the Committee resolved to recommend the Assembly: To approve P.P. 2012/2013 No. 6, Annual Report of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture, July 2008-June 2009, P.P. 2012/2013 No. 7, Annual Report of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture, July 2009-June 2010 & P.P. 2012/2013 No. 8, Annual Report of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture, July 2010 — June 2011.

LENATAI Victor Faafoi Tamapua
CHAIRPERSON