What is Second Chance Education?
History of Ulimasao Marist Centre
The Ulimasao Marist Centre evolved from Ulimasao College, which catered for years 9-12 from 1974 until 2001. Over the past few years, the roll steadily decreased. Counting only years 9-12, the roll went from a high of 301 in 1994 to a low of 82 at the end of 2001. The reasons were several: new State school classes for Forms 1-6, better facilities and more qualified staff at other schools, a low rate of school fee collection. During the last six years there had been no increase in staff salaries, because of lower income. The intervention of UNDP (through the association of the College with the Special Education Unit of Savai'i over the past couple of years) and the offers of assistance from the New Zealand and Japanese governments enabled the Brothers to consider an alternative style of education. The name Ulimasao was put back into the name of the school. The name of the school is "Ulimasao Marist Centre for Special Learning". Ulimasao was put back into the name to help retain the long and important history the school has in the Savai'i community. "Ulimasao" is a Samoan expression meaning to stay safely on course while paddling through rough waters. The paddle in our logo represents this.
What is "Second Chance" education?
Many students leave school with limited or no qualifications. This may be because of family problems, lack of motivation for the student, work being available in the family, etc. After they have been working, or often idling, for a few years, they may realise that their real interests are in areas that require more education. Second Chance education is a one-year course for these students to get a basic general education plus vocational options which suit the kind of work they aspire to. Additionally, they are helped to acquire good work habits and attitudes, so that they can fit in to a work group easily. The 4-week Work Experience late in the course is designed to further assist them in preparing for employment. The age of the students is 19 and over. A suggested upper limit is 25, but there can be exceptions to this if the circumstances warrant it.
There are 3 Second Chance classes, with a total of 80-90 students. They are divided by carrying out an assessment at enrollment in English, Samoan and Maths.
What is the "Youth" course?
Many students have abandoned school at a young age for a variety of reasons - not able to afford fees, unhappiness in school, poor performance that leads to loss of self-esteem, a sense of failure, etc. These ones haven't the maturity or skills to take up employment, and run the risk of becoming "street kids" around towns particularly. The Youth course at Ulimasao is designed for these, allowing them to progress at their own rate in small classes, with three vocational options during the year. The entry point is age at least 16, up to 18. Some will be able to re-enter regular schooling, others may continue the Youth course for up to 3 years, and then go into Second Chance if that is appropriate. This course is an alternative to regular schooling, geared to helping these students with special needs to get a basic education with an orientation towards technical or office-type employment.
The three Youth classes total about 50 students, divided according to the assessment tests given at enrollment.
A Day in the Life of The Ulimasao Marist Centre
As the sun rises over the beautiful rugged Savai'i coast, Marist Centre
students slowly rise from their "fales" to get ready for another day of
school. They walk through the dew-soaked grass out to the quiet streets
and either wait for a bus or leisurely walk to the Centre. On the street
they will usually meet up with a fellow student or two, and arrive
"hopefully" before 8 am. The morning bell 
rings, and students end
their conversations and come together for the morning prayer and flag raising. The
student prayer ends
and a few announcements are made to students. Students are then dismissed and the home room class begins. Home room is a
time set aside for the teacher to get to know the students. To get into
the personal lives of students and help them with school and non-school related
issues. The Home Room teachers are expected to be the
"counselors" for their respective classes. After home room,
students start the first of seven forty-minute classes. Students start their
day of hands-on learning and activities. After the fourth
class students get a thirty-five minute break from
classes and get a small refreshment from a local vendor. Teachers use this
time for morning tea. After the break, students reconvene for two more
classes. At 1:55 the last bell rings and students are dismissed for
the day. Some students walk back to their "fales",
others wait for a bus to go to town to either transfer or see friends at the
market, and some teachers and many students stay at school long after the
bell for various reasons. The sun sets beautifully over the Marist Centre
and students rest up for another day of learning.
As with Ulimasao College, the land and plant of the Centre is owned by the Diocese of Apia. However the diocese has left all aspects of the administration and funding to the care of the Marist Brothers, through the Marist Brothers' Education Board.
The land used by the project is partly Church land, and partly village
land. The buildings are on Church land. The total area is about 2.5
ha. The buildings consist of one large classroom block (1978), consisting
of 7 classrooms, a library, secretary's office, staffroom, and Director's
office (completed 2007). The three smaller blocks are the Technical block (1986), the Home Economics and Computer block (1992) and a large Samoan fale and
toilet facilities.
The Special Needs Education Unit of Savai'i (SEUS) uses
one building with two rooms. This unit is administered independently by
the SEUS Committee, supported by the Special Needs Education Office of the
Department of Education. There is a compound for volunteer teacher housing
not too distant, with accommodation for five single teachers.
The Marist Centre remains an integral part of the Savai'i community. Many events are held which the local community is invited and most cordially welcomed. The Parents Association also helps keeps Parents involved in their children's education.
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