Local firm BlueWave Wireless has officially launched the Savai'i School Connectivity Project in three different schools on the big island.

Sasina Primary School within the Gagaʻifomauga No. 3 constituency was the first school to officially launch the project last Thursday followed by the other two schools Itu-o-Asau College and Salelologa Primary School. 

At Sasina Reverend Panapa To'o of the Congregational Christian Church Samoa parish at Sasina congratulated the Government on such an important initiative. 

He said such a project will contribute to the learning of the students educated not only at Sasina, but across the big island of Savai'i. 

BlueWave Wireless Chief Operating Officer, Togisala Tony Leota said they were pleased to finally launched the project they had been working tirelessly to complete for the benefit of the children of Samoa.

“This is a significant day to see this much needed project come to fruition and to be able to officially launch this important project for the Gagaʻifomauga and Vaisigano districts of Savai’i,” Togisala said. 

“This place holds a special place in my heart as its where it all started, here in Sasina, Gagaifomauga No. 3.

“It has been a significant journey over these last three years where we saw the need for safe and reliable WiFi access to the remote and rural areas to bridge the digital divide in these under-served geographical areas of Samoa.”

The M.P. for Gagaifomauga No. 3 and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, La'auli Leuatea Schmidt delivered the keynote address at the project's launching at Sasina.

“This is a great day, and we give thanks to the Almighty God for he made this possible for us,” La'auli said. “This is an important program for the future prosperity of our children’s futures.  

"Today is your day (to the children).  

“These machines and equipment we are putting up is for your teacher’s to use, and those who understand how to use this equipment, to use this technology to help you complete your school work.  

“This is not a new project, we saw this project come into fruition in previous years, and we all know what happened then with the previous efforts made for this project for this school.”

La’auli then commended the effort of Togisala and his team for delivering such an important project to assist the students and their education.

“Malo lava Togisala and BlueWave Wireless for your patience and ongoing perseverance with all the trials we had to go through to get to this day.”

The proceedings then moved to Itu Asau College and Auala Primary in Vaisigano No. 1 for the second part of the official launch.

Associate Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure, Niuava Eti Malolo expressed his appreciation to the Government, saying the work has finally started in his district.

“Thank you also Togisala and Bluewave Wireless for providing this 'afi' as per the song 'ua alu atu le afi', an asset for the benefit of school children in this district - this 'afi' will shine brightly through the provision of these WiFi services in schools," Niuava said. 

“We wish the teachers all the best with their work, using this new resource to improve their teaching and service to the students and community."

The final launch was held in Salelologa at Salelologa Primary with the Fa'asaleleaga No. 1 M.P. and the Minister of Justice and Courts Administration, Matamua Seumanu Vasati Pulufana and other Members of Parliament, village matai and leaders from Salelologa, the School Committee and the local community in attendance. 

The students did a performance following the opening prayer and a ava ceremony was held by the village.  

Togisala then did a live demonstration to confirm online safety for students, including the blocking of access to inappropriate sites. The opening ceremonies at Sasina Primary School, Itu Asau College and Salelologa Primary were attended by local church ministers, village matai, principals, teachers, schools committees and college students.   

Togisala confirmed that schools cannot access unsafe and inappropriate sites and demonstrated using a live screen that if students tried they will be blocked.  

He also confirmed that any inappropriate videos cannot be downloaded and if a student tried to access and download such videos, they will be blocked.  

He also showed the local church ministers, students, school management as well as guests at Itu Asau College the speed of the newly installed WiFi through a live speed test on screen, and then played a live video on YouTube to show the speed and quality of the WiFi connection. 

“There is no other internet connection in this district (Vaisigano No. 1) which has these levels of speeds and the ability to play a video like this,” “Togisala said. 

“We know there have been a lot of negative words said about our company, but we give thanks to God for helping us complete this project. 

“Three years ago we started this project when the Measles epidemic hit Samoa.  We could see what was happening with Measles at the time, that there was a real need in underserved rural areas for an alternative source of internet in Samoa. 

“When the COVID lockdowns first started in 2020, we were able to connect 40 schools in Savai’i.  

"We couldn’t wait for the Government at the time, we just did it using our own personal and company’s resources and through our connections in Savai’i, and we started with those who needed it most, schools and school children.

“We now look forward to rolling this project out to 120 schools, starting today in Savaii and expanding to Upolu, Manono and Apolima very soon.”

“We have waited three long years with trials and challenges along the way. But we are pleased this day is finally here and we wish the children of Samoa, and especially rural villages, all the best with the use of the WIFI in their schools."

In recent weeks the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) leadership has come out criticising the satellite technology-based school internet service and claimed the country "moved backwards" by installing the satellite technology.

However, last week the Minister of Education Sports and Culture and the Regulator who fronted the media to clear the air in response to accusations by the Opposition Leader and H.R.P.P. leader Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi.