Two primary schools and two after-school centres in Palauli No. 1 district are the recipients of brand-new laptops to boost learning in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

A total of 36 new laptops were presented in a ceremony on Monday this week to the Taga and Gagaemalae primary schools as well as the EFKS-run after-school centres Siuti and Foailalo by Togisala Tony Sua Leota, the Chief Operations Officer of BlueWave Wireless.

Taga Primary was the recipient of 10 laptops and Gagaemalae Primary received 12 while the Siutu and Foailalo received seven laptops each, according to a media release that was issued by the Palauli No. 1 district on Thursday. 

Togisala – who credited the schools-focused laptop give-away initiative to PacifiCode NZ, Lighthouse Australia, Talamua Media as well and E3 Samoa Trust – emphasised the importance of utilising technology to build the capacity of teachers and students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). 

He further stated the main objective behind this intervention was to ensure students and youth of the district were better equipped in their learning process and maintain the long-term goal of attaining employment for a prosperous future.

The Minister for Women, Community, and Social Development and Palauli No. 1 M.P. Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio’o witnessed the presentation on Monday and expressed her appreciation to PacifiCode NZ, and noted their commitment to preparing Samoa's education system to cushion the effects of external shocks through these technological interventions. 

She said the laptop presentations were fully supported by the Samoa government and pointed to the impact that it had on schools and students during the measles epidemic and the COVID-19 lockdown that followed.  

The closure of schools had a long-lasting impact on the students, but she acknowledged that "students needed to be adequately prepared as they are Samoa’s future". 

"If they are ill-prepared, it reflects badly on us and has a long-term effect on our country’s economic development and existence," said the Minister.

Commerce student at the Palauli No. 1 College, Gloria Oloitaua, said she was elated at the opportunities now avail themselves following the laptop presentations to the four educational institutions.

"Looked forward to utilising them to further my understanding of Excel and to conduct research for my upcoming exams," said Ms. Oloitaua. 

According to Togisala, the handover of the 36 laptops was part of Phase 2 and announced to those who were present that Phase 3 will kick off in March 2024 with the “685 Project”. This will see a total of 685 laptops gifted to schools and teachers who have undergone digital literacy training in Phase 1.