The Train the Trainers Just Play Workshop was a success after 15 Department of Education; elementary teachers went through the one-day course conducted by FFAS and the DOE-PE office.

“This training will help the 16 teachers involved train other teachers in their own schools to deliver the Just Play Program curriculum,” explained FFAS Technical Director, Rupeni Luvu. “These teachers are their schools’ only Just Play instructors, but now they can train other teachers in their schools to help as instructors.”

“Our teachers have learned so much” from the workshop, explained DOE PE Coordinator, Valusia Talataina.

Luvu and Talataina conducted the course that was officially opened by FFAS President, Faiivae Iuli Alex Godinet.

“I want to thank you all for coming today, especially to DOE for making you all available to attend this workshop,” Faiivae said. “A great thanks as well to the three government agencies coming today to make their presentations as well.”

Luvu and Talataina added a new wrinkle to their workshop, having three government agencies present to the class on behalf of their respective areas of expertise.

They brought in the Department of Health to talk about tobacco and alcohol concerns. ASCC’s Land Grant, Community and Natural Resources department came in and talked about nutrition.

“They shared with our teachers the importance of staying healthy by choosing to eat foods that are healthy and also understanding that water is key for a healthy body,” Talataina explained.

Personnel from the Office of Protection and Advocacy for the Disabled (OPAD), the third agency, touched on the subject of children with special needs.

“They helped the teachers to know how to serve and to work with our precious students with special needs.”

Children with special needs are one area of attention for the Just Play Program. It targets the area of activity by trying to ensure that children with special needs “can access the benefits of Just Play,” according to the OFC Just Play brochure.

Talataina himself made a presentation on gender equality, as Just Play has an aim of inclusion of girls in Just Play activities.

Luvu presented on the teaching approach by the teachers in helping them to deliver their JPP messages and curriculum to the students.

“We have been bringing the Just Play Program to the elementary division of the DOE for the past four years and it is great to see it alive and well especially in these last two years,” said FFAS CEO Tavita Taumua. “I thank you all for giving your time into this program because it’s the children that are important here.”

A Just Play finale is being planned in May to close the program for the 2015-2016 school year.