China has agreed, in principle, to pay all the school stationery needs of Samoa's ministry of education.
The chief executive, Matafeo Tanielu Aiafi, says the government spends millions every year on school stationery and the offer from China is welcome.
The government newspaper, Le Savali, quotes Matafeo saying the money saved will be redirected by the ministry to other worthy areas such as hiring more teachers.
He says there is a shortage of teachers, especially for key subjects such as mathematics and science and in the vocational trades such as carpentry, plumbing and electrical in the colleges.
He said it's possible trade teachers from China could also be requested to work as instructors in colleges.
Matafeo says if all goes well the stationery grant from China will begin early next term.
