Education
Samoa College Celebrates 70 Years Milestone
“It is a time to pause and reflect on the contribution of the school to Samoa through the development of our country,” Le Mamea Ropati Mualia – Member of the Council of Deputies & former student.
Apia, Samoa -11 December 2023: The Member of the Council of Deputies, Le Mamea Ropati Mualia was given the honour to speak on behalf of the Samoa College Old Pupil Association (SCOPA) 70th anniversary celebration today.
“70 years is a milestone and is a cause for celebration,” he said.
He spoke of the school’s mission not just through political independence, but independence in all essence of life as foresaw by Samoa’s forefathers.
He cited the late Head of State Malietoa Tanumafili 11 words at the opening of Samoa College 70 years ago who pointed to the significance of the college to provide for Samoa’s needed expertise to realize the forefathers dream for an independent nation.
“O le auala lea o le a maua ai tatou fai fa’atoaga, loia, foma’i, au fai auala ma fai paipa ma ia o’o lava ina iai ia se faavae autu e le toe aveesea ai le tofi o Samoa. E auala atu i le Kolisi le auala ia fesoasoani ai i le faamautuina o sini ma faamoemoe eseese. E le tau faalauiloa le matatia na tapena ai ulua’i ta’ita’i o le Malo ona o le miti a tatou tuaa.”
The Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio speaking on behalf of Government reiterated the importance words of Le Mamea.
He said the introduction of secondary school education to Samoa was a pivotal prerequisite for its journey towards independence.
“Our forefathers knew that we could no longer rely solely on primary education, that merely prepared pupils for limited opportunities. Yet Samoa needed educated men and women who could lead us to a future of self-governance with wisdom to serve. Samoa College was therefore established to provide education for the development of an independent state,” said Tuala.
The last survivor of the very first Samoa College class of 1953, Naitua Tavai had the honour to blow the candles to mark the 70th anniversary of Samoa College as the Head of State and Acting Prime Minister look on.
That dream has come to pass 70 years later with graduates of Samoa College holding leadership positions in government ministries and bodies, the private sector, the church, and village communities.
He said the legacy of Samoa College is not limited to academic excellence or extra curricula activities, but lives on through the achievements and contributions of its alumni.
“SCOPA has done well in the management of the school in recent times and government will continue to support the College apropos current policy requirements. As we look to the future, let us continue to embrace the value of ‘Atamai e Tautua mo Samoa’. May Samoa College remain a symbol of educational excellence for generations to come and continue to train, teach, build, develop and sustain leaders with the “wisdom to serve,” he said.
The largest contingent from overseas, SCOPA NZ
Samoa College’s journey
In the early 1940s/1950s, the need for educated Samoan’s to manage the affairs of an independent nation became evident and the dream for a secondary school for Samoa started to take shape with the establishments of primary classes at Malifa in 1949.
Forty four students were selected from around the country through a qualifying exam to receive Accelerated Teaching and Learning and by 1952, the number of students increased to 150 and preparation for College education intensified.
Samoa College was established in 1953 under the leadership of Dr. Beeby of New Zealand with an intake of 52 students.
The school location was selected well for easy access to water and electricity and its construction started in 1951 on a 130 acres land at Vaivase purchased at £45,000 per acre.
The school opened a hostel in 1961 to accommodate travel difficulties for students from Savaii and other rural areas.
A pharmacist by trade, former student, Le Mamea Ropati Mualia, the Member of the Council of Deputies and former Cabinet Minister and longtime member of parliament, speaking on behalf of the former students.
The school patch was designed in 1958 with the motto Through Knowledge to Achievement, and in 1965, 4 Samoan teachers joined the staff and the school motto was changed to Atamai E Tautua mo Samoa
In 1962, Form 6 was established.
In the 1990’s, several changes happened with the intentions for Samoa College to be transformed into a Secondary School, however, in 1988 the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) came to power and changed the education department’s policy all together.
This weeks’ celebration started with a march down beach road where students were divided into years or decades of being at Samoa College and the rain did not hinder the SCOPA spirit as they marched cheerfully down beach road. Former students from around the world are taking part with the biggest group from New Zealand who made a special presentation to the school.
The anniversary weeklong celebrations include class reunions, sports day, golf tournament and finale with the 70th Anniversary Ball.
