It was warming to see teachers from all over the country engaging for the annual teachers' conference to gear up for the 2025 education year. While the promises of ‘We will be better’, have been made, the fact remains that the quality of teachers reflects the quality of literacy and numeracy in the country.

Being a teacher in Samoa is hard. Teachers are underpaid and under-resourced and sometimes take on the task of teaching multiple classes because of the teacher shortage. There is also the practice of teachers filling in to teach another subject they are not trained in.

The country gained independence in 1962, however, the progress made to improve the quality of education delivered in classrooms is not reflective of the six decades or so we have been a self-governed country.

There is a need to set higher standards for intake at the National University of Samoa. Right now, some take up teaching because they are not accepted in other courses due to lower marks in college. At the end of the foundation year for teaching, the ones with the lower grade point average are mostly sent to primary school courses.

Some meet the criteria and are more than capable of being quality teachers. These are the ones snapped up by the private schools. How do you expect children to learn the basics when the people teaching them do not know themselves?

The fault lies with the responsible ministry. All teaching positions need to be government positions except for those at exclusive private schools. Teachers must be afforded a high starting salary. When a higher salary is offered a standard can be set for intake at both primary and secondary levels. The NUS also has a responsibility to ensure that the educators we have are capable of delivering quality education.

The Ministry of Education also needs to set up key performance indicators and consecutive failure to satisfy these KPIs should result in termination of contracts.

Teacher shortage and quality teachers are no longer a distant concern but a pressing reality that demands immediate attention. The nation can no longer afford to view this issue through a rosy-glass lens. The time for inaction has passed.

It is time for the nation to take bold steps to attract, train, and retain talented educators. This requires a multi-faceted approach, including competitive compensation, improved working conditions and streamlined pathways into the profession. By investing in our teachers, we invest in our students’ success and our communities’ future.

The teacher shortage and quality of teachers are complex challenges that can be overcome with the right strategies and a steadfast commitment to education. It is time for leaders to stop making excuses and start taking action. The future of our children depends on it.

Research has shown that the quality of teachers in our classrooms is the most important school-related factor in boosting students’ achievement. Teachers are responsible for students’ academic performance. Stakeholders need to ensure only qualified teachers are employed in schools, especially in rural areas.

The Ministry of Education also needs to ensure that more teachers in rural areas are trained in the use of technology to deliver classroom lessons. Skills acquisition programmes should be organised for teachers to equip them with skills.

Adequate remuneration, scholarships and other incentives should be provided for teachers’ training as a means to make the job remain attractive.

Teachers work hard, some go beyond the call of duty to ensure that every student gets the best education under their care. Some make a lot of sacrifices but the unchanged fact is that quality education is delivered by quality teachers.

Teaching is not just a profession. The seeds of education sowed into our children today will guide the way Samoa will head in the future.