Samoa Online School Shows Submarine Cable Benefits
By Sapeer Mayron, Samoa Observer
January 22, 2019
By Sapeer Mayron, Samoa ObserverThe Prime Minister has applauded an “innovative venture” combining education and technology, Samoa’s brand new Apia International School.
A project of Marj Moore of The Learning Centre and Fiona Ey, Apia International School (AIS) is Samoa’s first correspondence high school, where most classes are taught online by overseas high schools.
In his remarks at the official opening on Monday, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi said the school harnesses technology’s opportunities, made possible by more affordable internet.
“This approach to education will prepare our children to be digital citizens, ready to face the challenges that the future brings,” Tuilaepa said.
“They in turn will enhance Samoa’s development and participation in a modern, globalised economy.”
Embedding information and communication technologies (ICT) into learning complements the Government’s vision in the communications sector plan. Tuilaepa said he doesn’t want to see Samoa’s children left behind due to an “increasing digital divide.”
“AIS will ensure that despite Samoa’s geographic isolation, our children are not disadvantaged by the ever increasing digital divide,” he said.
“Our children will be able to access information, skills and knowledge in the same way that children do in more developed countries,” he said.
Calling the continued investment in submarine internet cables a “key building block for growth,” Tuilaepa said improved capacity and cheaper internet has helped make the international school a possibility.
As an online high school, AIS allows students to enrol in high schools from New Zealand, Australia, and the United States and beyond, chair of the board Fiona Ey said.
Online phone calls and resources from teachers in other schools will allow students to work towards high school diplomas from all around the world, wherever there are supported correspondence courses.
They will take a variety of classes in the subjects that interest them, which will be complemented with classes taught by local teachers, including Papali’i Momoe Malietoa von Reiche who will teach Samoan studies.
