Dear Editor,

Thank you for keeping the community informed about what is going on. I have not heard an update on the DOE director’s goal regarding more culture in the schools. I know that there is already a mandatory Samoan class.

I hope they are not trying to remove the “English Only” policy from the classrooms. I love our Samoan culture and I understand the importance of passing it on. That is the reason I moved my family here, but is it the duty of the school system?

I'm concerned about my child's future — going to college, getting a good education and a good job.

Shouldn’t the school system concentrate on Math, English, Science and Social Studies? From the Education Summit, I observed that the issue at hand is that students are graduating from high school who are not ready for college because they don’t understand English. That’s the main problem here!

Let’s not be in denial. It's to their advantage to learn English. Even for a student whose main language is Samoan, for them to learn English is a plus when it comes to looking for a job. English is the universal language and this is American Samoa.

My child learns culture at home, in our village, at the various programs around the community, etc. If our youth are to excel, they need to be efficient in English. If our youth don’t grasp English they will not understand a text book nor be able to pass a test (including the ASVAB or the SAT) — nor will they be able to succeed in college, etc., etc.

Look for yourself, every successful person on island speaks and grasps the English language. Doesn’t that tell us something? And those that don’t?

Mona Uli

Concerned Mother

(Editor’s Note: Actually, I believe the DOE director was speaking more of teaching elementary children in Samoan, their ‘home’ language, as well as in English — not making an English instruction classes only environment.

There are many schools of thought about ‘teaching’ our children to be ‘atamai’ (smart) learners, able to do well in our global world — and have bright futures. One is that at the youngest age possible (some believe before age one), let your child learn using their ‘home’ language and if possible be open to learning other languages as well, because at this early age, it’s been found a child’s mind is open to infinite possibilities, and is limited only by their ability to communicate and their imagination.

As Dr. Suess said, “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” ra)