Automotive engineering students at the Don Bosco Technical Centre are now able to apply real-world training to upskill their knowledge on electric vehicle motors.

With an EV now added to school resources, Don Bosco’s Automotive Department has fully incorporated electric vehicle technology into its curriculum this year.

Principal Tupa’i Fonomaaitu Mane Su’a expressed his gratitude to Minister for Education and Culture Aiono Alec Ekeroma for donating an EV to support the school’s growing automotive training program.

The vehicle is a Nissan Leaf, valued at $20,000.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, the principal said the donation marks a significant step in ensuring students gain hands-on experience with emerging EV technology skills increasingly vital in the modern automotive industry.

He recalled that the opportunity began when the Minister of Education and a delegation from the Ministry of Education and Culture visited the school.

“The visit we had from the Minister of Education and his team from the MEC gave us the chance to discuss the government’s launch of the new EV vehicle program. When the former government launched the initiative, no vehicle was actually provided for us to use in teaching our students," he said.

"So when Aiono visited last year, under the new government, I requested him. I told him that we really needed an electric vehicle to help our students learn modern automotive skills. It’s not enough to explain it in theory without having something practical for them to work with.

"When the Minister left that day, he didn’t say anything that suggested there might be help coming, so I didn’t expect anything. But later, I was surprised when the Minister called me and said he had an EV vehicle at his home that he could donate for our use. I had originally requested a vehicle to be donated by the government for this program, and that is exactly what the Minister has now provided.

"We are truly grateful because we did not spend any money on this vehicle. Even though it is secondhand, it is a very good one, and it will help us greatly in teaching our students. This year, we have fully incorporated EV training into our curriculum for the Automotive Department."

The principal said it was also a wonderful gift, and the school now has all the equipment needed for the EV training.