The Ministry of Education Sports and Culture has held a special ceremony prior to the World Teachers' Day celebration to acknowledge honorary persons who serve the teaching profession.

The M.E.S.C. hosted the ceremony at the Taumeasina Island Resort on Friday morning where retired school inspectors and school principals from around the country attended. 

Special awards were presented in different categories to recognise different areas of the service the recipients made their mark in. This year's theme is “the transformation of education begins with teachers” and the program for Teachers Day 2022 is aligned with the Government’s theme of “sail with faith” or “folau ma le faatuatua.”

The Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Education, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio delivered a strong message to encourage and motivate all who were present. 

The first part of the celebration was the Teacher Awards based on the following categories: teachers who are turning or will be turning 60 years of age this year (born in 1962); school inspectors who made a difference in their respective districts; and outstanding teachers or principals nominated by the Ministry to recognise all the hard work they've done this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. 

The second part of the celebration was a tribute to past educators who contributed to building Samoa since independence in 1962. The tributes were aired on different media stations with all the themes resonating with ‘Folau ma le Faatuatua."

Further celebration will continue with a special prayer service to be held at the Samoa Tourism Authority Fale Samoa on Sunday at 3pm culminating with the traditional festivities and games to be played next Wednesday to coincide with the international celebration.