There is good news for the students of Faleatiu Primary School with the German Embassy agreeing to rebuild the building that houses its classrooms after it was devastated by a fire two months ago.

With SAT$30,000 worth of building materials funded by the Embassy, the two-storey building which contains four classrooms will be rebuilt within the school compound with the village committee to provide labour for the project. 

The Ambassador of Germany to Samoa, Nicole Menzenbach highlighted the significance and contribution of Germany in supporting the education sector in Samoa.

“Education plays an essential role in shaping a brighter future for our world. Not only does education allow children to grow into empowered adults, but it builds resilient communities who are able to stand together and find solutions for the challenges of tomorrow," she said.

“The German Embassy in Wellington is committed to supporting education in Samoa. To work towards achieving this goal, we are delighted to make a contribution to Faleatiu Primary School, especially after a fire destroyed most of the school, we hope that this support will allow children and their communities to rebuild and gain strength through education”.

Faleatiu Tu’ua O Le Nuu, Talimatasi Uili Matafeo explained that the fire was the most unfortunate period of the year, as students were heading into their final examinations. He acknowledged the German Embassy and government for their generosity.

“It is most unfortunate that fire has destroyed the school at this unfortunate time of the year when children are facing end-of-year exams. Germany has always been a friend of Samoa as we have ties that stretch way back in the years past," he said.

"We still see the developments that were started by Germany and it is heartwarming that the Samoa Government and its people have improved upon it.

"Faleatiu Primary was a school borne of a dream by parents residing far inland, as a place of learning for their children, and a place that is within reach instead of walking the distance every day in the heat and rain, to the coastal area where the schools are traditionally located.

"The area in question comprises Tuvao, inland areas of neighbouring villages of Fasitoouta and Satapuala. This is a huge relief to the mothers of these children and is a testament to their wish to form the PTA (Parents and Teachers Association) comprising 43 members.

"It is a huge pleasure for us to answer a call for relief by Toelesulusulu Cedric Schuster for assistance from the German government to start rebuilding of the school."

Meanwhile, the school has become a centre for learning on this side of the Aana district and has been embraced by the Ministry of Education and the Samoa government in providing five teachers including the principal. It has classes for Years 1–8 for 112 children and the building initially was built by the government of Japan. 

This assistance is part of the German government’s support towards the education sector in Samoa. Faleatiu Primary School is the third school project supported by Germany in 2023.

The signing of the contract for the Faleatiu Primary School project will be held on Friday this week at Faleatiu Primary School. 

In attendance at the contract signing was the German Ambassador to Samoa, Nicole Menzenbach as well as the Honorary Consul of Germany to Samoa Tagaloa Christa Szegedi.