American Samoa will soon have a Samoan Language Commission established by law with start up funding of $150,000 from unspent and unobligated funds from Fiscal Years 2019 and 2020.
The House approved the administration bill last week and the Senate yesterday approved its version of the bill.
The Samoan Language Commission is to provide authoritative guidelines on Samoan Language in education, government, economics and social life.
The bill would also establish Samoan in addition to English as official languages of American Samoa and makes both languages of instruction in public schools.
THE biLl cites unidentified reports shopwing 90% of people in the territory speak Samoan as their home language or their first language, that the majority of students in public schools read 3rd grades below level and that more than 90% of high shcool graduates entering the American Samoa Community College require remedial English and remedial Math.
It says children learn best when the first language of instruction is their mother tongue, and using the mother tongue in the classroom ahs been found to enhance classroom participation, decrease attrition and increase the likelihood of family and community engagement in the child’s learning.
In addition most research now concludes that learning achievenment is enhanced when children are taught in their mother tongue for at least the first six years of primary school before the second language is introduced.
The bill provides that instruction in all public schools shall be in the Samoan and English languages.
To ensure students acquire proficiency in Samoan, English and academic subjects, the Dept of Education shall develop quality literacy programs based on research and the current needs of students.
The existing wording in the law which says that the Samoan language may be used when necessary to facilutate teaching the English language is removed.
The Samoan Language Commission shall have 15 members appointed by the Governor and approved by the Fono for four year terms which shall be staggered.
Three members are from the public at large “with demonstrated knowledge and dedication to the language.”
Other members are from the American Samoa Community College, Dept of Education, three membes of the clergy, Senate, House of Representatives and Secretary of Samoan Affairs.
The commission will have its own office with an executive director that serves at the pleasure of the commission, and shall request a budget from local and federal sources.
A start up nudget for the office and commission for the current fiscal year is to come from unspent and unobligated surplus funds for ASG for fiscal years 2019 and 2020.
The law becomes effective 60 days after passage of the fono and signing by the Governor.
