Registration for teachers to get a license closed on Friday as the government aims to improve the quality of teaching through this process. This may also impact on who gets to be in a classroom as unregistered teachers may not be allowed to teach.

The Teachers Council last month called on all teachers to get registered, an effort which will contribute greatly to improving teacher quality in efforts to ensure improvements in students' achievement across all levels of education. 

A notice from the Samoa Teacher's Council stated that the developments on teacher registration have been on-going since the establishment of Samoa Teacher Council (S.T.C) in 2019. The Council's mandate under the Teachers Act 2016, is to regulate teachers registration. 

"Teachers' applications for registration were rigorously assessed by the Teachers Council, which consists of 14 members, representing E.C.E., private government, the community and Head of Agencies including M.E.S.C., S.Q.A., and the N.U.S. Faculty of Education (F.O.E.) Dean," the notice says. 

 "Criteria for both full teacher and temporary registration are regulated under the Teachers Act 2016, all of which are to be met by teachers. 

"Registration and providing teaching licenses for the fourth group of teachers in the history of Education in Samoa. This effort will contribute greatly to improving teacher quality in our efforts to ensure improvements in students' achievement across all levels of education. 

"Teachers who do not meet the criteria for either full or temporary registration will not be able to teach in schools. 

"Plans to officially issue Teachers License and Teachers Registration Certificate is now going ahead with a scheduled plan for teachers to pay their fees. Letters to inform individual teachers on the status of their application are now disbursed to schools. 

"The teachers Council would like to congratulate all teachers who have been approved to be registered and licensed."

The registration fee is $150.00 for full registration and issuance of registration certificate plus license before end

"In pursuant to the Teachers Act 2016, a person qualified for full registration is he or she fulfills the requirements for full registration category stated by the Act. He or she is also required to pay the prescribed fee for having successfully qualified as a full registered teacher.

"It is very important that you follow the schedule provided for easier management and smooth implementation of our payment process. "