No end to school violence

By Sarafina Sanerivi 02 May 2016, 12:00AM

 They are at it again. After all the efforts by school principals, teachers, police officers and government trying to put a stop to interschool violence in public places, the problem has risen again. 

The students involved in the school fights last week were from St Joseph’s College, Pesega College, Maluafou College and Avele College. 

At the end of last month, the Tactical Operation Section of the Ministry of Police stepped in to spot checks all the students at the bus terminal after school. 

This operation was carried out after three schools, St. Joseph’s, Avele and Don Bosco reconciled and apologised to each other. 

It was also carried out after Faleata College was under attack. 

Moreover, the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi assured the public that the government would step in and do something to end interschool violence. 

His comments were made after weeks of fighting among the students from different schools in public places. 

The Minister of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture also said that the issue had been discussed in a Cabinet meeting, however, a solution was not found and the matter was referred to be discussed again in another Cabinet meeting. 

Nineteen students from Avele College, St. Joseph’s College and Don Bosco were arrested as a result of interschool fights last month, and now the problem has emerged again. 

The Samoa Observer contacted the Ministry of Police yesterday for a comment, but the Media Officer for the Ministry is not in the country. 

However, according to the police officer who answered the call, students were brought in to the Police Station as a result of a fight between Avele College and Maluafou College on Friday. 

“But I cannot confirm or give out the number of students who were arrested,” he said. 

“Only our media officer can do that.”

According to the police officer, police also brought in students who were involved in a fight which happened on Thursday between St. Joseph’s College and Pesega College. 

By Sarafina Sanerivi 02 May 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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