Candidates’ Answers About Support for Teachers

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The gubernatorial team of Lemanu and Talauega feel the current administration has made a lot of improvements in education.

Candidate for Governor and current Lt Governor Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Mauga answered the first question of the American Samoa Bar Association’s Gubernatorial forum last night.

Teachers are critical to the development and success of American Samoa’s future and economy. What will your administration do to make sure teachers get the support that they need to do their jobs?

Lemanu said the current administration has built new classrooms, cafeterias, offices and bathrooms as well as facilities for children with special needs.

In addition the administration has sponsored the Adopt a School Program to spice up not just government schools but also private schools. The aim is for teachers to devote their attention to teaching students while the government and community prepare classrooms and campuses.

Lemanu also pointed to the administration’s efforts to set higher salaries for teachers with BA graduates starting at $23,000 and those with Masters staring at $27,000.

But he said these efforts are not enough and if elected he and Talauega will look at introducing more benefits for teachers such as allowances.

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Lemanu said they will look at offering special allowances for teachers as incentives to work in Manu’a and Aunu’u as many teachers don’t want to work there.

He said teachers should also be supported and encouraged to seek higher education and credentials through the various cohort programs now available on island and to reward them with higher salaries commensurate with their earned degrees, in the fiscal year that they obtain them, not future fiscal years.

Here’s the answer from candidate for Lt Governor in the team of Nuanuaolefeagaiga Saoluaga Nua and Tapumanaia Galu Satele Jr.

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