Building education system resilience in Samoa

Recent data of primary age students in the Pacific region has shown a decline in proficiency in literacy and numeracy, with a large proportion of students failing to meet minimum standards in both domains. This is reported in the most recent Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (PILNA) 2021 regional report.

In Samoa, student performance in literacy and mathematics had been declining since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite numerous policy adjustments, new investments and reforms by government and development partners over the years, the overall impact on student learning has not had the desired results.

As part of an effort to better understand the systems and school level challenges impacting student performance, ACER was engaged to conduct research under the Tautua program. The program is managed by Palladium on behalf of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and forms part of a broader investment to support human development and social inclusion in Samoa.

The study included several key activities:

• A scoping mission to explore current challenges and opportunities in the Samoan education system
• Design of an original analytical framework to drive data collection and analysis activities
• Mapping of policies that potentially impact on educational quality in Samoa
• Secondary analysis of PILNA data to understand opportunities for enhancing teaching and learning practices in the country, including consideration of wellbeing and inclusion practices
• Qualitative surveys with school leaders, teachers, and parents
• Classroom observations
• Policy dissemination and capacity building workshops.

Using a strengths-based approach, the study identified evidence of effective practices that could significantly enhance student learning and contribute to the education system's resilience and response to future crises. These include well-designed policies and strong coordination mechanisms that ensure continuity of learning, particularly for the most marginalised students. Additionally, robust monitoring systems are in place to track student learning and growth.

The study also highlighted successful examples of parent and community involvement in schools, where shared responsibility for children's learning has proven beneficial. These partnerships can elevate the value of education within homes and communities, fostering greater confidence in the education system.

However, the research indicates that while Samoa's education sector is supported by a comprehensive policy framework, the effectiveness of these policies is undermined by implementation challenges that are common to other educational contexts. Resources, teacher absenteeism, and low levels of literacy skills are also an ongoing challenge in the Samoan education system. Large class sizes appear to contribute to rote learning approaches, which in turn limit the capacity for differentiated instruction. This can result in decreased engagement among students, and likely contributes to student absenteeism and drop out.

All research activities were conducted in collaboration with local researchers and affirmed by officials from the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC).

‘We are incredibly grateful that this important work has now been officially approved for publication,’ said Nora Warren, Assistant CEO, Policy, Planning and Research Division, MEC.

Capacity building activities around research design and analysis were also integrated throughout the study and made available to all relevant stakeholders working in Samoa’s education system. Moving forward, MEC plans to extend the research to the secondary and post-secondary sub-sectors. 

The findings will also be used by MEC to make research-based decisions to leverage existing systems strengths and strategically develop interventions that support effective teaching and learning approaches into the future. Importantly, the study has emphasised the importance of dialogue between policymakers and practitioners, and the value of engaging education stakeholders in research efforts.

Further reading

Read - Full report

Learn - Tautua Program

Find out more about ACER’s work in Samoa and the Pacific.