How Will Your Administration Support Teachers?

asbar-candidates
For the most part the four teams which voters will choose from to be the next Governor and Lt Governor of American Samoa on November 3rd, read from prepared answers at last night’s gubernatorial forum hosted by the American Samoa Bar Association at the Lee Auditorium.
Questions which the candidates were given in advance of last night’s event covered education, what to do about the drug problem, their solutions to combat domestic violence, American Samoa’s political status, ensuring public input in the lawmaking process and privatization of the authorities.
The teams had 3 minutes to answer the questions and it was up to them whether to respond in English or Samoan.
The first question: “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?”
We feature the answers from Gaoteote and Faiivae and I’aulualo and Tapaau in this bulletin and the other two camps in our noon bulletin.
Gaoteote said the first thing is to look at increasing teacher salaries as that will motivate them. In addition teachers should be supported in furthering their education for example AA degree holders should be encouraged to obtain their BAs and BA holders be to obtain their Masters.
But salaries are the main priority, he said, because some teachers don’t want to teach because there are not enough supplies to do their work and the same with supplies for students.
Gaoteote’s running mate Senator Faiivae Alex Iuli Godinet gave the rest of the Gaoteote & Faiivae’s team reply.
Candidate for Governor I’aulualo Faafetai Talia said the major complaint that teachers have talked to their team about is lack of supplies, which he said was a very simple thing .
If elected he and Tapaau will look at the budget and allocate resources directly to the district and to schools so that the classrooms have enough supplies.
I’aulualo said their team will also work towards providing internet access to all of American Samoa, noting that distant learning is affected by the lack of internet access.
He said every home must have internet and that includes providing a computer for every kid in American Samoa.
His running mate Tapaau Daniel Mageo Aga gave the rest of their answer.
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