Parents, the Principal and teachers welcomed the opening of the school's first computer lab at Fasitootai Primary School on Tuesday courtesy of an Australian government donation. 

The Australian High Commissioner, Sara Moriarty, said seeing the latest project funded by an Australian government was a special moment. 

"These projects are special because they are by the community and for the community," Ms. Moriarty said. “It's a special honour for me to visit villages across Samoa and witness the Australian Direct Aid Program (D.A.P.) provide  support to the community."

The new air-conditioned facility is the school's first and will add a new dimension to students' learning, said the school's principal, Falese’ela Mikaele Toluono.

“It's a great help for the students, where they can search on their own about a topic to gain further understanding about it, plus there are other activities within the computers that they can use to develop their critical thinking.

“We will start with the basics because this is the first time that we have computers: so, the first step is to know how to type."

The Principal thanked the Communications and Information Technology Minister, Afamasaga Lepuia’i Rico Tupai, for conveying the school's need for computers.

Maleta Alealapati, who has a daughter attending the primary school, said she knew the computer room would benefit the children's studies.

“I personally thank the High Commissioner of Australia for her help in giving computers to this school and for our children to learn things about computers,” she said.

Afamsaga said the school will now start on a program to teach students to use the computers, and with the help of the Ministry of Communication and Information technology.

Ms. Moriarty said the goal of the grant was to raise students' computer skills and to make the most of the possibilities now presented by the Tui-Apia cable internet connection. 

Teacher Sulesa Paulo said: “I am grateful for this project because we have something to develop education for the students of Fasitoo-tai primary school".