Education System in Samoa
Early childhood education in Samoa is provided mainly by non-governmental organizations. Primary school enrollment rates are high, and most children complete the full cycle of eight years of primary education. Secondary school participation is low and requires improvements. The Samoa’s Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture has recently begun incorporating practical subjects and vocational education and training programs to meet the learning needs of students and strengthen the economy.
According to a 2012 UNESCO report, 99 percent of adult Samoans are literate, compared to the Pacific average of 71 percent and the global average of 84 percent.
The Samoan National Education Coalition (SEN) was established in 2019. Its a partnership of 16 local civil society organizations. The SEN emphasizes on grass root level development and intended to build a foundation for adult “life literacy” within and outside of the formal education system. Basic and secondary education in Samoa is free. The quality of education is fair and the overall literacy rate in Samoa is close to 99 percent. Informal educational programs play an important role in the delivery of basic education.