American Samoa's governor, Lolo Matalasi Moliga, says despite cohort programmes at universities in Hawaii and San Diego graduating hundreds of the territory's teachers there has not been a proportionate rise in student performance.
Governor Lolo fears teachers are not being taught in content areas which will make a difference to student performance.
He says obtaining a master's or a bachelor's degree does not guarantee an effective
teacher.
Lolo says it is critical for American Samoa that these cohort programmes adjust their vision to focus more on teaching content, instead of the current general focus.
He says it is also clear that more resources need to go into early childhood education including the placement of the best teachers at that level.
