“Yes you’re right, “is the bold admission by Minister of Education, Sports and Culture Loau Solamalemalo Keneti Sio in Parliament.
He made the comment in response to concerns raised by 24 MPs including a handful of Associate Ministers questioning why the teachers shortage situation has not been resolved yet.
“It’s a fact,” continued Loau. “And there are reasons why.
“Some teachers have left the country after securing permanent residency in New Zealand under the annual quota system.
“Others teachers have left the classrooms for better paying desk jobs within the sector and in the private sector.
“The services of others have been terminated for valid reasons.”
The placement of teachers is also a major obstacle noted the Minister especially in cases where both spouses are teachers and assigned to different parts of the country.
But he was quick to note that it’s not a distraction to government as the Ministry is pressing on with its never ending crusade to recruit more teachers.
“Government has recently increase teachers’ salaries,” elaborated Loau.
“Teachers are among the best paid public servants.
“Graduate with a Bachelor of Education and your starting salary is $25,000 to $27,000 tala a year.
“If you are hired as a Science Teacher the starting salary is $30,000 tala a year.”
“Even degree holders in different majors are being recruited by MESC to take up teaching.”
The Minister said that these are the incentives which MESC has invested in to recruit more academics into the teaching profession.
Loau also noted that government with the USP Campus in Alafua’s Science Teachers Accelerated Program, (S. T.A.P) partnership is also meeting its targets with the second group of science teachers graduating with Bachelor of Science Degrees recently.
56 teachers graduated earlier this year bring to more than 100 teachers graduating from the initiative since it was launched.
“Despite the costs, government remains committed to its investment in STAP because it’s for the future of the country to have intelligent scientists and qualified educators in science and mathematics,” elaborated the Minister.
He also called on parents to play their role by encouraging their children to consider teaching as a career path.
However, despite the setbacks, it is not discouraging MESC from its priorities to recruit more teachers.
“At the end of day, Education is and will remain a priority to government,” reiterated Loau.
The Minister was addressing concerns raised during the 2017-2018 Budget Estimate Debate through last week, according to a release from the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet..
The total budget allocation for Education for is $100.3million and equivalent to 19.6% of total Government expenditure programs for the financial year 2017/18.
This is allocated as follows:
• $80.7million is allocated to the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture which includes financing for key items that include:
• financing to continue towards the School Fee Grant Scheme for Primary Schools and Secondary School classes Years 9 to Year 11; re-instatement of School Review Officers;
• appropriations for teacher upgrade scholarships;
• $12.6million allocated for the National University of Samoa;
• $5.3million for the Samoa Qualifications Authority;
• $1.7million for the operations of the Samoa Sports Facility Authority;
• Additionally, there are also development projects for the sector funded by development partners amounting to $2.4million.