Samoa
Fiafia Sports
In Samoan culture “fiafia” has a number of meanings, such as celebration, get-together or being happy. As the targeted initiative of the Ministry of Education Sport and Culture (MESC) for Samoan primary schools, Fiafia Sports is a co-curricular program, designed to complement the physical education and health curriculum.
The program was developed by a project team consisting of members from a range of Samoa’s sport, physical education and health sectors. It aims to increase the participation of children in a structured play program that further develops their fundamental movement skills and improves their understanding of the importance of being active.
Resources include a teacher’s manual with games and activities designed to assist teachers to help children develop skill levels from fundamental to sport specific. Teachers from 25 schools will be trained in each of the first 3 years of the program, with a schedule of regular monitoring visits planned to follow up activities and determine extra training requirements.
To determine that the program is achieving its outcomes, the National University of Samoa has been engaged to conduct research into 5 key areas. These areas are:
- Assessing the program’s impact on levels of physical activity amongst student participants.
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Measuring awareness levels of participants, teachers and principals regarding the benefits of physical activity.
- Identifying differences in student social and classroom behaviours following participation in the program.
- Gathering information to assist with the formal evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of the Fiafia Sport Program.
- Assessing the fundamental physical skills of students.
Samoa Sports Ability
With a Disability Sports Officer positioned in MESC, the Sports Division aims to enhance the sport and physical activity experiences of children and adults with disabilities by running inclusive sport programs that increase their levels of participation. Samoa Sports Ability is designed to fulfil the vision of MESC’s special needs sector of a uniquely dynamic education system supporting sustainable, quality, inclusive education and sports at village, school and community level for all people with with special needs.
Activities include:
- Training workshops for teachers in Samoa’s government and non-government special needs schools
- Monitoring visits to schools to provide feedback and support to trained teachers
- An education and awareness program to promote the importance of inclusive sport and physical activities
- Provision of sports equipment to support program games and activities.
