The start to the 2019 school year for students of Faleatiu and Satuimalufilufi Primary Schools has been highly positive with the opening of their new school buildings, through the kind assistance of the Government of Japan. Today, more than 92 school buildings have been built under the Government of Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Project (GGP)
On the 08th of March, students and teachers of Faleatiu Primary School had every reason to smile when they celebrated their new reconstructed school building at a cost of ST$223,362.05. The funds were spent on new tiles for the classroom floors, ceilings, and lighting fixtures as well as a new staff room, principal’s office, the library, computer lab, and the new toilet block.
The Hon. Minister of Education Sports and Culture, Afioga Loau Solamalemalo Keneti Sio was the keynote speaker and he congratulated the villages of Faleatiu-Uta and Tuvao for their hard work and efforts to provide a much better school environment for the future of the village.
His Excellency, Ambassador of Japan to Samoa Maugaoleatuolo Shinya Aoki emphasized on the persistence of the Japanese government and its assistance for the government and people of Samoa and its development to ensure that all children have access to quality education, especially in the rural areas. Member of Parliament of the constituency of Aana Alofi No.3 and Minister of Communications Information Technology, His Hon. Afamasaga Lepuia’i Rico Tupai offered his blessings before cutting the ribbon to officiate the opening of the Faleatiu Primary School building, which will accommodate 150 students and 4 teachers.
The second primary school opening was held on the 18th of March for the village of Satuimalufilufi. They also celebrated their new school building during a special handover ceremony. His Excellency Maugaoleatuolo Shinya Aoki in the presence of the Hon. Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Hon. Ministers Loau Solamalemalo Keneti Sio and Afamasaga Lepuiai Rico Tupai, the president of the school committee. Teachers, parents, and students of Satuimalufilufi Primary School were all in attendance with much anticipation and excitement.
The Hon. Prime Minister, Afioga Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi in his keynote address, offered his usual advice to the school and all who attended, and that was to make good use of the facilities by sending children to school also to the school committee to maintain and ensure its longevity. He acknowledged with gratitude the ongoing assistance of the government of Japan to our country through the development of education, health and other essential sectors of government.
The total cost of the Project was SAT$421,914 which included the reconstruction of 8 new classrooms, a new staff room, a library, a computer room, a new toilet block, and a school hall. These new facilities will be utilized by 316 students and 7 teachers.
