Interviewer instructions
Questions on education are not to be asked for people who are younger than five years old. For anyone under five years old, simply leave these columns blank.
The term “school” means formal schooling, which includes pre-school, primary, secondary, and post-secondary schooling, and any other intermediate levels of schooling in the formal school system. This definition of school does not include Bible school or short courses like typing or sewing. However, it does include technical or vocational training beyond the primary school level, such as long-term courses in mechanics or secretarial work.
Under the present formal school system in Samoa, primary level ranges from Year 1 to Year 8 while secondary level ranges from Year 9 to Year 13. In the past, primary level consists of 8 years of schooling, ranging from Primer 1 through Primer 3, Std 1-2, Std 3, Std 4, Form 1 to Form 2. Secondary level consists of five years of schooling, ranging from Form 3 through Upper Form 5 and Form 6, as shown in the bottom of the Household Schedule.
Vocational level ranges from certificate, diploma to apprenticeship while higher or university level ranges from Degree 1, Degree 2, etc. The Old Mission School refers to missionary schools which teach reading, writing and basic mathematical skills using the local Samoan language.
If the person has never attended school, you will leave Columns (18) through (22) blank.
If the person has attended school, you will record the highest level of school the person has attained in the first box on the left in Column (18). Do this by using the codes at the bottom of the page. Then record in the two boxes on the right in Column (18) the code for the highest form/year the person completed at that level. The codes are likewise provided at the bottom of the page. If the person has attended higher or university level, enter the total number of years completed at that level.
Example: A child who is currently in the third year of primary school (LEVEL 1) would have completed two years of primary school or 02 for YEAR (she has not yet completed the third year).
A man who has completed all the years of primary school would be LEVEL 1, YEAR 08.
A man who left during his first year of secondary school would be recorded as LEVEL 2 and YEAR 00 because the highest level he attended was secondary, but he did not finish any year at that level.
A respondent knows her son went to primary school but does not know what grade he completed. Record '1' for the level and '98' (DON'T KNOW) for the year.
A respondent who has completed a three-year Bachelor's degree and two-year masteral degree would be Level 4 and a total of eight (08) years, because the person has also completed a one-year certificate and two-years diploma before he/she enters the Bachelor's degree.