Teachers and students of Savaia and Tafagamanu Primary School have reason to look forward to the start of the new school year.

With a new school building costing $691,000, they will have some of the best learning facilities in the country.

Built by Sang Construction over a six month period and funded by the Australian government under the Australian Recovery Programme, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi opened the project yesterday.

“There are a lot of programmes that have been initiated by the government and the Ministry of Education for the betterment of the children,” he said.

“The government is also prioritising schools and health projects to benefit not only the children in Apia but also here in the rural areas.”

With the facility ready, Tuilaepa urged parents to do their part.

 “We notice that a lot of the parents are careless. Even in their own villages they are not doing their part by taking the children to school which is a must,” he said.

“We are urging the village councils to help in this matter.

“Keep in mind that these children will be the ones that will become trouble makers within the village in the future if you don’t lend a hand to help them.

“So this is everyone’s duty it’s our children because they are the future leaders of our country.”

Australian High Commissioner, Sue Langford, said education is so important to the development of Samoa.

 “Savaia is the sixth of seven schools damaged during Cyclone Evan and to be  rebuilt under this recovery programme but this is the fourth school that I have opened since becoming High Commissioner in 2014.

“Australia has also been providing funding to around 36 schools for minor repairs from the cyclone.”

She went on to say that it’s a huge satisfaction to be able to witness the new school building.

“I’m told that the new two storey building of four classrooms, one library, one administration block room and toilet block have been built to be strong and to withstand potential cyclones,” she said.

“I am very pleased to see ramps in place to provide easy access for children and communities with mobility disabilities.”

She also congratulated the government of Samoa for its leadership in prioritizing education. She said this is something Australia and Samoa share.

“It’s a priority investment for Australia and for the Australian Aid programme  because we know it helps individuals, families, communities, and nations achieve their full potential, their aspirations, and a quality education in a comfortable and world design building such as this one where teachers are eager to teach and students are eager to learn,” she said.

“It increases the child’s ability to participate productively and meaningfully in their homes, villages and communities.”