More than 500 students of Faleasi’u Primary School will benefit from a newly commissioned hall on Friday.

The purpose of the hall is to provide the students with a safer and healthy learning environment which will also be used as extra classrooms.

Furthermore, the total cost of the hall amounted to more than $100,000.

Construction works started in 2018 but it stood incomplete for quite some time.

Until the school attained funding support valued SAT $18,500 from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Wellington to complete its building.

The village of Faleasi’u has provided valuable support towards this partnership project between the school and the German Embassy.

A small ceremony was held at the school to commemorate the event which was attended by the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegoi, Cabinet Ministers and the Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany, Tagaloa Christa Szegedi.

According to Tagaloa, she said that the measles epidemic and the Covid-19 pandemic have brought many challenges to Samoa.

“I bring special greetings from His Excellency the German Ambassador to Samoa Stefan Krawielicki who is based in New Zealand and would have loved to be here today but unfortunately due to Covid-19 restrictions that was not possible,” she added.

Tagaloa shared that the Government of The Federal Republic of Germany is excited to be in partnership with Faleasi’u Primary School in providing the assistance necessary to complete the school hall.  

“Even in these Covid-19 times, the work of educating the over 500 students of Faleasi’u Primary School has to continue. 

“This hall will provide extra classrooms and the school can also better enforce social distancing. 

“The added wash-hand basins and floor tiles mean the students will be learning in a better and more hygienic environment.”

She also congratulated Faleasi’u Primary School Principal Toomata Esera Toia and Fesola’i Aleni Sofara for their vision and leadership during the project.

“During a recent visit to check on the progress of the hall construction, it was also very impressive to also see the collective will of the school and the village in insuring that the project gets completed.

“It is wonderful to see the school and village working together as a team in finishing the project. 

“As you know Samoa and Germany have always enjoyed a close and special history together. It is this great friendship between our two countries which has made this exciting project possible.”

She also relayed that if there is one thing the Covid-19 has taught us, “It’s that we all have to work together and support each other in order to limit the hardships brought upon by Covid-19.”

“To all the students, teachers and educators here today, this hall is for you to continue your great work in educating these young students. 

“Lastly today really is a special day. What started out as just a vision, an idea has now become reality. With the completion of this hall the students will be have access to a safer and better learning environment. 

“At the end of the day this hall is for the students and teachers. Our hope is this hall will make a lasting difference for the students and teachers of Faleasi’u Primary School.”