Getting Palauli 1 District technologically savvy

A total of 36 brand new laptops were presented to two Schools and two EFKS After School Centres in the Palauli 1 district this week under the Pacific Code literacy project.

The laptops were presented to the Gaga’emalae Primary School and Palauli 1 College and the After Schools Study Centres at Siutu and Foailalo villages.

The laptops were presented by Togisala Tony Sua Leota, Chief Operations Officer of BlueWave Wireless at a special ceremony at the Siutu EFKS Hall on Monday 13 November 2023.

Togisala credited the initiative and commitment to several partners; PacifiCode NZ, Lighthouse Australia, Talamua Media and E3 Samoa Trust.

He emphasized the importance of utilizing technology to build the capacity of teachers and students of beneficiary schools in Science, Technology, and Engineering & Mathematics (STEM). He further stated the main objective behind this intervention was to ensure students and youth of the district were better equipped in their learning process and long-term goal of attaining employment for a prosperous future.

Laptops for one of the two After Schools Study Centres in the Palauli 1 District.

The Member of Parliament of Palauli No1 District and Minister for MWCSD, Hon. Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio’o was on hand to witness the handover of these assets.

The Minister expressed sincere appreciation to PacifiCode and their commitment to preparing the education system to withstand impacts of external shocks through these technological interventions.

She stated these types of interventions were fully supported by the Government noting the impact on schools and students during the measles and COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions.

“The closure of schools had a long-lasting impact on the students but I am conscious of the fact that students needed to be adequately prepared as they are Samoa’s future. If they are ill prepared, it reflects badly on us and has a long-term effect on our country’s economic development and existence,” the Minister said.

Ms Gloria Oloitaua, a Commerce student of Palauli No 1 College was excited about the opportunities presented through these laptops stating access to computers was a rare opportunity for them in Palauli. “I’m really looking forward to using the computers to further my understanding of Excel and to conduct research for my upcoming exams,” said Oloitaua.

Togisala said the handover of 36 laptops was part of Phase 2 of the project and announced that Phase 3 will kick off in March 2024 with the “685 Project”.  This will see a total of 685 laptops gifted to schools and teachers who had undergone digital literacy training under Phase 1 of the Pacific Code digital literacy project.