It is always a good feeling when Samoans make international achievements. Another young Samoan has made the nation proud. Congratulations to engineer, Zachary Schuster.

The Samoan engineer received the Civil Contractors New Zealand (CCNZ) Auckland Regional Awards' Young Engineer of the Year award. Schuster was nominated along with Fatima Atonio, a fellow Samoan engineer who works for Brian Perry Civil.

Schuster credits his late grandparents Bob and Bev Barlow with laying the foundation of education in his life. Education has enabled many Samoans to make their mark, change their lives, and become successful.

The government’s focus should be on access to affordable and quality education. This is the only way to address the persistent lack of labour and skills in health, education, legal, commercial, hospitality, and many other sectors.

The government, district councils, churches, and families must make a rigorous effort to focus on education.

The district councils at this point are the best equipped to deal with this situation. With $1 million at their disposal, they can assure children who cannot afford education, school uniforms and lunches can do so.

The government needs to make all teachers civil servants. This way teachers will be paid better and there will be adequate teachers in all schools. Education is the answer to social issues such as poverty, and labour shortage and it will make Samoa a better nation.

Education helps a person hone their communication skills by learning how to read, write, speak and listen. Education develops critical thinking. This is vital in teaching a person how to use logic when making decisions and interacting with people.

Education helps an individual meet basic job qualifications and makes them more likely to secure better jobs.

Education promotes gender equality and helps empower girls and women. A World Bank report found that an extra year of schooling for girls reduces teen pregnancy rates in Peru by almost seven per cent and gives women more control over how many children they have.

Education reduces child mortality. According to UNESCO, a child born to a mother who has a high school diploma is 31 per cent more likely to survive past the age of five.

And for these reasons, education should also be free. Free education carries the potential for significant economic impact, notably by fostering a more qualified workforce and alleviating financial strains associated with higher education.

Free education initiatives can lead to a rise in university enrollment and graduation rates, as seen in various studies and practical implementations.

This translates into a larger pool of skilled workers entering the workforce, which is critical for the sustained growth of the economy. With more educated individuals, industries can innovate faster and remain competitive.

The subsequent increase in productivity and creative problem-solving bolsters the country’s economic profile.

Free education stands as a cornerstone for a more equitable society, providing a foundation for individuals to reach their full potential without the barrier of cost.

It fosters an inclusive culture where access to knowledge and the ability to contribute meaningfully to society are viewed as inalienable rights.

Free education mitigates the socioeconomic disparities that often dictate the quality and level of education one can attain.

When tuition fees are eliminated, individuals from lower-income families are afforded the same educational opportunities as their wealthier counterparts, leading to a more level playing field.

Expanding educational access enables all members of society to pursue a wider array of careers and life paths, broadening personal choices and promoting a diverse workforce.

Recognising education as a human right underpins the movement for free education. All children should have access to quality, inclusive, and free education.

This aligns with international agreements and the belief that education is not a privilege but a right that should be safeguarded for all, regardless of one’s socioeconomic status.