Up until this year, the students of Puleia and Papa Primary School in Savaii had to bear concrete floors and because of lack of furniture some of them had to sit on the floor but those days are now gone.

Parents had to supply mats to ensure a clean learning environment.

They have received an early back-to-school present as their classrooms have been fitted with tiles. Now they can walk on tiles and enjoy an upgraded environment in their schools.

The German Embassy in Wellington contributed over SAT$21,500 worth of floor tiles to upgrade the classrooms to ensure the students and teachers work in a cleaner and germ-free environment

Project Manager to the German Consul’s Office in Samoa Afoa Stefan Szegedi said during a visit to the school recently, it was clear they had a great need for tiles inside the classrooms.

"This upgrade with the floor tiles to the classrooms will. COVID-19 has taught us the importance for children to learn in a clean and healthy classroom," he added.

“Our German Consul’s office has always emphasised the importance of assisting the education sector of Samoa. At the same time, it is also vital that resources are given to the big Island of Savaii. The children of Savaii belong in a clean learning environment and will play a vital role in the future of Samoa”.

Puleia and Papa Primary School Principal Talalafai Toma Amosa expressed his sincere appreciation to the German Consul's Office for the project.

“This project is of great benefit to the school. These benefits from the project make the parents feel happy, they don’t need to supply mats for the classroom floor. It also makes the teaching environment clean. Next, this is the minimum service standard that our school needs," he said.

To celebrate the successful conclusion of this partnership project, a special ceremony was held on Friday at Puleia and Papa Primary School attended by representatives from the German Embassy as well as the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Leota Laki Lamositele.