No name change for Matafao Elementary School

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Matafao Elementary School gets to keep its name.

A plan to rename the school after the first Samoan a Director of Education Mr. Nikolao Pula has been ditched much to the relief of a vocal group of the school’s alumni. The group vigorously protested the move last year on social media and with waves at the school.

Responding to KHJ News questions, Director of Education Talauega Dr. Samasoni Asaeli confirmed that a decision has been made not to change the name of the school at this time.

He said, “With all due respect to the family of former educator and Director of Education the late Nikolao Pula, we will not move forward with this decision by the previous administration.”

The Director of Education went on to say, “However, we will continue to consider other avenues on how we can properly honor the memory and service of this education pioneer who broke barriers and paved the way for the growth and development of education in American Samoa. “

Former Governor Lolo Moliga made known his intention to rename the school and this was to take place during the dedication of the school’s new gym. Members of Matafao Elementary’s Class of 1994 waged a campaign to stop the name change on social media and also held a wave at the school in mid-December. They also circulated a petition.

They agreed that Mr. Pula should be honored for his contributions to education in the territory and suggested that the Dept. of Education headquarters in Utulei be named after him. They said Matafao was part of them and the school’s legacy should be preserved.

The name change did not take place before Governor Lolo left office. However, KHJ News was told the change was postponed to this year when Mr. Pula’s son, Director of the Office of Insular Affairs at the Dept. of Interior Nikolao Pula, is able to travel to the territory.

Hope the pioneer educator will be honored remains to be seen.