Fono considers bill to establish a Samoan language commission

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A bill establishing a Samoan Language Commission of American Samoa provides a source of funding and establishes Samoan and English as official languages in the territory and languages of instruction in public schools.

According to the preamble of the bill, there is a need to ensure the Samoan language remains vibrant to support the survival and development of the Faa Samoa. Reports show 90% of American Samoa speaks Samoan as their home language or their first language, that the majority of the students in public school read 3 grades below level, and that more than 90% of high school graduates entering American Samoa Community College (ASCC) require Remedial English and Remedial Math.

The bill stated that children learn best when the first language of instructions is their mother tongue, and using the mother tongue in the classroom has been found to enhance classroom participation, decrease attrition, and increase the likelihood of family and community engagement in the child’s learning.

Most research now concludes that learning achievement is enhanced when children are taught in their mother tongue for at least the first six years of primary school before the second language is introduced.

It is critical that the Samoan Language be declared by territorial law as one of the official languages in American Samoa and is recognized as of equal importance with the English language in education, government, economic and social life of the people of American Samoa.

There is a need for authoritative guidance for Samoan language instructions to support literacy in the development of a four- language domain, listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Section 1 of 16.0510 is amended to read, “To ensure students acquire proficiency in Samoan, English and academic subjects, the Department of Education shall develop quality literacy programs based on research and the current needs of students.”

The House version of the bill is now assigned to the House Education committee for a hearing.