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ASCC Gubernatorial Forum has candidates answer questions

It was not a debate

The gubernatorial candidates at the forum hosted by members of the ASCC Student Government Association (SGA). The three gubernatorial teams that participated are: Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga & Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga; Faoa Aitofele Sunia & Larry S. Sanitoa; and, Tuika Tuika & Salanoa Iuni Maeva Saveena. [Photo: JL]
joyetter@samoanews.com

Education, each gubernatorial team’s platform, the Samoan language, Manu’a transportation issues were among the issues the ASCC Student Government Association (SGA) asked the three gubernatorial teams during the forum held at the ASCC gymnasium yesterday afternoon.

Attending the forum were the three gubernatorial teams of Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga & Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga; Faoa Aitofele Sunia & Larry S. Sanitoa; and, Tuika Tuika & Salanoa Iuni Maeva Saveena.

The format of the forum was that each team was given 4 minutes to answer seven questions from the SGA. Not mentioned were if the questions were vetted before being asked.

The forum lasted for a little bit over an hour and was not a ‘debate’  — questions were asked and answered, no rebuttals were allowed.

The first question dealt with education and the high percentage of ASCC incoming freshmen having to go through remedial courses such as English and Math instead of taking college courses. What changes will the candidates make at the DOE and to the American Samoa Educational System to better prepare high school students for the next generation?

Faoa, in response stated that it’s a basic problem and the solution is to go back to Early Childhood Education (ECE). According to Faoa, he would put the best qualified teachers at that level so children will learn the basics and they will make their way up to the secondary level.

Sanitoa seconded Faoa’s comments and noted the need to invest in early education — a must. He said students are struggling with reading, writing and math and it’s a serious issue, and pointed to students going into college and having to take remedial courses instead of college courses. He said there is a need to go back to the early education.

Lolo responded that there are many programs implemented in the education system all the way up to the community college level. He said there is a need to step into the situation knowing what is going on in the education system. Lolo said the biggest challenge for everyone is how to redefine education, to make sure it has a smooth continuing process from elementary all the way to the ASCC.

Tuika, said he was a professor and during his years of teaching he encountered the same issue and he believes that the current problem starts from home. He feels the need to deal with this issue is directly with the operation of the education system.

Another question for the candidates was their opinion whether the Samoan language and culture should be a part of the education system.

Lolo reminded that their administration is all for the culture and the Samoan language as a tool to educate students. He said that they promote dual language in the DOE as the students need to be taught in English and Samoan. He said that 95% of students are Samoan and therefore it should be required for the Samoan language to be used in class and as long as we are Samoan, we must focus on our language, as a tool in the classes. Lolo said he believes that the students will learn better with the Samoan language in the classes.

Lemanu added that having the dual language identifies us as Samoans, as it’s our own language being taught in the schools. He said dual language should be practiced in classes from elementary all the way up to the college.

Salanoa, a former teacher also supported the Samoan language being used in the schools. He spoke of his experience as a teacher where he taught in English and if the students did not understand, he had to translate in Samoan to get the message across. He said it’s the teacher’s job to make the students understand the classwork.

Faoa said, we are Samoans and he believes that if the children are not learning the proper way of speaking Samoan, then there is a need to have that in class.

Sanitoa also supported the cultural aspect being implemented in the schools but at the same time, emphasized that English should play a big role in the daily classes as the biggest problem is that a lot of these students are struggling with comprehension in reading and writing.

Samoa News will report more on the ASCC gubernatorial forum in later editions.