“I have hopes and high hopes that you (teachers) will utilize the skills you’ve learned from this course by passing it along to your students for this school year,” said DOE Assistant Director for the Elementary School Division, Puna Tanielu during the closing of the two-day, ‘Just Play’ Program course.

“The students really need your help and with this knowledge you will be there to guide them, to instruct them and help them with their physical activities,” she added.  “I am very excited about the program after watching some of the (practical) sessions and hope it will be implemented the right way.”

Eleven teachers, two DOE PE coordinators and six FFAS volunteers took part in the course instructed by OFC Just Play Coordinator Emmie Sope and FFAS Technical Director Rupeni Luvu from Sept. 19-20 at the soccer compound in Pago Pago.

The course was enjoyed by all with personal stamps of approval given by Tanielu and DOE’s Office of Curriculum and Instruction Acting Assistant Director Netini Sene.

“Last year’s Just Play Program was about kicking the ball,” Sene said during the course opening.  “This year it’s kick the ball and drink water in order to promote healthy awareness for our children.”

“We have a big task from Just Play— and that is to help our kids become healthier through the program’s activities,” she said during the closing.

“We are very fortunate to have been a part of this course because the last two days has been a great learning experience for us, not only inside the classroom but outside,” said Pava’ia’i elementary teacher Mekiafa Vaifanua when he thanked Sope on behalf of the class.  “It’s our job now to take this to the students and I know all of us teachers are looking forward to doing that part.”

The seven elementary schools — Afonotele, Alofau, A.P. Lutali, Leone Midkiff, Lupelele, Pava’ia’i and Tafuna — will start their Just Play Programs on September 29, 2014 with coordination between the teachers, DOE PE and FFAS.

One target being planned for the program is to extend it to Manu’a High School in Tau, Manu’a.  FFAS and DOE are currently in the planning stages for that to occur.

“This is a very fitting program for our association and DOE because it targets social issues that are strong in our territory such as NCDs, gender inequality and social exclusion just to name a few,” said FFAS President Faiivae Iuli Alex Godinet after officially opening the course. 

“We are thankful to OFC for including us in the Just Play as well as DOE for accepting it because this targets the health of our children and their activeness.”

CEO Tavita Taumua, who doubles as the program’s manager, thanked the participants for making it easier on the instructors by comprehending the instructional material quickly.

“Because they are teachers, this course was very easy to get the message across,” he said.  “This is one of our best Just Play Program course classes in as far as the participants are concerned and I have a feeling that this year will be a great one for the program.”

FFAS and the teachers bid Sope farewell and the participants received goodies for themselves from the association as well as Just Play materials, such as a ball bag, balls and cones.  FFAS will also provide coolers to the seven schools for use by the students when they have their program.