Getting Fired - fa’aSamoa

During Monday’s recess, the staff were called into an urgent meeting with the principal. She explained that she had made the decision to fire one of the staff members, as she had found out that he was collecting $1 from each student that answered a question wrong and required $1 for each I.A. (internal assessment) to be graded. This had been going on for quite some time and the principal found out about it because the parents were inquiring if this was standard procedure. During the meeting, many of the staff members were crying and pleading for either his job to be saved or for him to resign rather than be fired. The principal remained strong in her decision to fire him and although most people did not support her, I privately told her that I fully supported and agreed with her decision. On Friday the teacher showed up for a farewell. We provided food and drinks and they said their formal good-byes and blessings. After everything was said, he was presented with an envelope of money. It was shocking how well he was treated because he was leaving the staff (furthermore being FIRED!). This event proved that there are many differences between the ways that the Americans treat their employees versus the Samoans. I can only imagine how they treat an employee who leaves on good terms.