By Tupuola Terry Tavita
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi delivered a stern warning to parents who fail to send their children to school.
“If you don’t send your children to school, government will lock you up.”
The Prime Minister’s firm message was delivered at the opening of Saleaumua’s new primary school.
Education minister Magele Mauiliu Magele hands over the scissors to a Saleaumua primary school prefect to officially open their new school
“Laws have been enacted to ensure compulsory education for all children. So if your child is reported not to be attending school, the law will come after you.”
The Prime Minister revealed that he was a “true blue Saleaumua” and that, from the Head of State, “no one is above the law”.
Children who miss out on formal education, the Prime Minister said, will, in the future become a burden on government, their families and the general community.
The village council too has a vital role to play, he added.
“It has become a habit that when Pai’s child is not attending school, the council takes a very complacent attitude which stops at the gossip and finger-pointing level. The council has to have its own rules to ensure that all children attend school. And punishment is meted out to those parents who do not send their children to school.”
SALEAUMUA
The Saleaumua Primary school was rebuilt with the continued assistance of the Government of Japan. Its grant of $250,000 was used to build six new classrooms while the village forked in to build an additional two classrooms and a staff room.
The Prime Minister thanked the Japanese government for their assistance.
Since 2001, the Japanese education infrastructure programme has seen the construction of over 40 schools in both Upolu and Savaii.
In response, Saleaumua paramount matai and district member of Parliament Tafua Maluelue Tafua informed the Prime Minister that the village council has already passed a decree whereby all youths under 17 are to attend school.
“The one problem we’re having though is access to water. So I’d like to ask the general manager of the Samoa Water Authority – who is also here – to please provide reliable reticulated water to our village and this school.”