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Thirty teachers enrolled in first ever BA program in Samoan studies
Approximately thirty local teachers are enrolled in the two-year BA program in Samoan studies that was launched in the Governor’s Office on June 12. The program is possible through a partnership between the American Samoa Government and the National University of Samoa.
The launching of the program included the presence of NUS administrators Fonoti Dr. Lafita’i I. Fuata’i, director of center for Samoan Studies, Professor Le’apai Lau Asofou Soo, deputy vice chancellor, and Seve Folototo Seve, NUS financial services director.
An ecstatic Governor Togiola Tulafono, who described the launching as one of his happiest and most satisfying days as Governor, said that the program is part of the government’s action plan to preserve the Samoan culture and language, which is perhaps the most important goal of this administration.
According to Togiola, the current administration has been working on this project since he spoke of promoting efforts to preserve the culture during Flag Day last year. The original plan was to call a general assembly of leaders – traditional, political, religious, and academic – to review a draft policy or road map regarding cultural preservation.
However, this didn’t pan out as Togiola unexpectedly had to undergo treatment off-island. The degree program was to be launched afterwards but instead, has become the first step.
The Governor believes that training teachers in culture and language as the first step to cultural preservation is vital because the classrooms have been identified as the most important battleground in the fight for preservation.
He said that preservation measures have been promised time and time again but actions have always fallen short of the expressed goals. But with the new program underway, it’s time to take action and do it properly, with dedication and resolve.
Togiola said that culture is no longer being practiced on a daily basis in many villages and in most family settings, and added that preservation efforts will be taken to the schools to ensure that every child that passes through will have learned and appreciated our culture before they leave school and go out into the world.
He added that the hope of saving the Samoan culture is the challenge of teachers and there is absolutely no room for failure because this means that the space between our true culture and the way we live will become bigger and the end result will be the loss of our way of life as passed down from our parents.
According to the Governor, the two-year program is well crafted but he suggests adding a course in American Samoa history and a teacher skills course.
He said he is confident in the program because NUS is fully committed to saving the Samoan culture. Togiola thanked NUS for working with ASG to launch the program and said that his goal is to have all Samoan language and culture teachers in the DOE system complete the program.
(Currently, DOE requires a grade in Samoan studies from everyone graduating high school).
Togiola said that he will work with DHR director Mageo Malu on a solution to address concerns voiced by teachers that their BA in Samoan Studies will not be accepted by the Department of Human Resources (for determination of pay).
With regards to compensation, Togiola has already signed into law the teacher reclassification bill and since teaching Samoan culture and language is a rare skill, it should be classified as a ‘hard to fill’ position.
According to the Governor, their plans call for another class to follow next year.
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