KEY POINTS:
Teachers have a plan
A comprehensive plan hatched by a team of local and international consultants to stem the tide of teachers leaving their profession in increasing numbers is nearing completion and due to be submitted to Government for approval.
The 12 member consultant team has been at work the last 6 months attempting to set up a National Teachers Development Framework that will form the basis of a Teachers Act.
A new salary structure and improved work conditions, the two main factors causing teacher strife, are central to the proposed framework.
According to Ms Gatoloai Tilianamua Afamasaga, President of the Teacher's Association (SFS), the framework is comprised of three components.
"The first being the professional development of teacher's at the pre-service, on service, and in-service stages."
The second component is for salaries and working conditions. This is the component that will make the pathway very clear for teachers to follow to advance their careers."
The final component allows for a 'holistic' view of the framework and "makes it possible to compare the local standards of teaching to internationally recognized standards."
Ms Gatoloai noted that the long-term impact of the framework would go far in addressing the high attrition rate for teachers.
While teachers are on strike in neighboring American Samoa the SFS is making it clear that they have no links with teachers in American Samoa; Gatoloai also noted that she was not aware of their grievances and made assurances that no such strike would take place in Independent Samoa.
"Where's My Brick?" - Pathway to Dreams
Local business owners have been wondering why the South Pacific Games bricks they paid for have not been added to the 'Pathway to Dreams'.
Before the South Pacific Games started, locals could purchase a brick for $100 (SAT) to be cemented on a path coined 'The Pathway to Dreams' along the seawall on Beach Road.
However while the path has been laid, more than a month after the closing ceremony for the SPG, the names of several businesses and individuals who purchased space on the path are still missing.
One business owner who spent $2,400 (SAT) on bricks for his company's name to written on was disgruntled saying that he had made the purchase back in June with the understanding that the project would be completed before the Games began.
While the business owner is still swayed by the incentive of a permanent space for advertising his business, he regrets that the extra exposure generated by the influx of tourists during the games was missed.
Businesses go all out for White Sunday
White Sunday - the special day dedicated to children - has been celebrated in Samoa for many years and has only increased in its scale and positive reception.
Local Businesses prepare far in advance for White Sunday, sometimes 3 months ahead to ensure that inventory is ready to go on sale during the shopping rush.
The surging sales were helped by Samoa Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) TV1 and FM's annual Market Day where business wares are advertised via television and radio.
The drop in revenues for some was not blamed on a slowdown in consumption but rather a sharp increase in competition from new vendors.
Tourism: Village beautification pays off
21 villages from Samoa (11 from Upolu, 10 from Savaii) were awarded cash prizes this past White Sunday weekend for their efforts in beautifying their local grounds.
The annual competition is organized by the National Beautification Committee made of members from Samoa Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
Shin Ete, of Samoa Tourism Authority noted that this year's competition winner was particularly hard to pick given the outstanding work by all villages involved, spurred on by the South Pacific Games.
The Samoa Tourism Authority also cooperated with the Accident Compensation Board in a campaign for safer roads. This proved a success as no major road accidents occurred during the games even with higher traffic congestion than usual.
Villages were judged by criteria such as: cleanliness of family yards, gardens and waste management.
Sports: Women face uphill struggle in sport
Women are not being allowed to reach their full sports potential due to cultural beliefs and old attitudes according to Dawn Rasmussen of the Faculty of Education at the National University of Samoa (NUS).
Women's teams particularly have trouble garnering attention in sports more commonly played by men such as rugby and boxing. Though much has improved in the recent past, women need to be encouraged to see sports as a career path.
Another common problem pointed out was the lack of qualified and willing individuals to coach sports teams. Rasmussen stressed that the constant concentration on rugby as a national sport depleted the potential for youths to be introduced to and excel at other sports.
Today however, women have equal treatment when it comes to training and development on the professional level. Samoan Women's Rugby Seven's team is joining many competitions over the next couple of years. The Women's 15's team will be competing in international competitions in 2010.
Rasmussen hopes that the stadiums built for the South Pacific Games will be put to good use particularly by High School and University students.
Sports: New sports development programme to be introduced
A development programme initiated by AusAID is to be introduced into Samoa soon. It was presented at the Sports and Region Cross-Cultural Current Conference this week.
The current programme focuses exclusively on four countries in the Pacific meaning that more resources are available per country, whereas this would not be the case in a broader reaching programme.
According to presenter Rob Regent, Australia is committed to the project long term. They will be working with various local organizations in Samoa to ensure success including the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development and the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture. One of the aims of the programme is to enable the local people with skills to run their own programmes.
The programme will focus on social development through sports. Regent brought up the fact that 52 per cent of Samoans have type-two diabetes. Sport can play a role in the overall betterment of people. Regent stressed the programmes flexibility and realistic aims predicated on local aspirations and priorities.
Monitoring and evaluation of the programme will be a focal point to ensure that money provided is spent correctly. The Australian Outreach Programme will replace other sport development programmes in Samoa currently in place.
Apia Beat - SPG Dreaming
During the South Pacific Games, the Guam contingent came under criticism due to one of its representatives condemning the quality of Samoa's athlete accommodations.
One of the athletes from Guam who spoke to this writer, explained that he strongly agreed with the opinion that Samoa's accommodation standards were not up to snuff, though he did recognize that the country was under a tight budget. He further stated that he couldn't wait to leave the country to have a proper warm bath.
So imagine the surprise when this same individual later greeted the writer at one of the local watering holes, an entire fortnight after the closing ceremony no less, with a hearty "Hafa Adai...Talofa Lava!". The individual noted in a recent email that he hopes to visit Samoa again in the near future, as it "reminds him of Guam from his childhood".
He ended his letter saying "Adios. And Tofa Soifua."
- NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER
