In Samoa, many primary schools do not have textbooks. While it is taken for granted in Japan that each child has their own textbook, the reality in Samoa is very different. In many cases, not only students but also teachers do not have access to textbooks or teaching guides, yet classes continue every day under these challenging conditions.
Mathematics education is particularly affected. Many teachers have not had sufficient opportunities to develop subject-specific expertise or effective teaching methodologies, making it difficult to provide high-quality instruction for students.
Rather than simply providing ready-made teaching materials, Lumanai Samoa works collaboratively with Samoan teachers, drawing on knowledge gained from Japanese educational settings and experiences as Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers. Through on-site cooperation with local schools, we aim to improve the overall quality of education in Samoa in a sustainable way.
Lumanai Samoa’s educational support programs contribute to the achievement of SDG Goal 4: “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all,” through the following initiatives:
- Donation of stationery and learning materials to children in Samoa
- Teacher training programs aimed at improving instructional skills
- Implementation of STEAM education programs for children in Samoa
Donation of Learning Materials to Primary Schools
We donate essential learning materials—such as stationery, notebooks, and mathematics kits—to public primary schools and other schools where educational resources are insufficient.
Mathematics Teacher Improvement Workshops
We conduct workshops aimed at improving mathematics teaching skills for elementary and secondary school teachers in Samoa who are responsible for mathematics education.
These workshops are led primarily by members of Lumanai Samoa who have teaching experience in both Japan and Samoa and have worked as mathematics education specialists with ministries of education in various countries. In collaboration with local partners, we organize these workshops once a year to support continuous professional development for teachers.
Samoa STEAM Education Project
To promote STEAM education from the private sector in Samoa, Lumanai Samoa formed a partnership with the local NGO Samoa Early Learning Foundation and launched a new initiative in 2025 titled the “Samoa STEAM Education Project.”
Currently, the project offers the LEGO Education Program, in which students—primarily elementary school children—build robots using educational LEGO kits and learn how to control them through programming. Through hands-on learning, children develop problem-solving skills, creativity, and an interest in science and technology.
