The American Samoa governor, Lolo Matalasi Moliga, has assured public school teachers he will make sure they are paid what they are worth.
Lolo says he has instructed the director of education to prepare a reclassification plan to ensure that teachers are properly compensated.
The governor, who used to be a teacher, says it is a noble profession because teachers play a vital role in moulding the young.
But he says teachers are paid shamefully low salaries.