The head of the Environmental Health Division of the Dept of Health, Aileen Solaita, gave a straightforward explanation on why they closed down schools.
They said what they found during inspections in July were the same conditions found in previous years.
Instead of submitting a report of the unclean, unsanitary and unsafe conditions they found, DOH placed “closed” and “condemned” signs on the school buildings.
Testifying before the House Health Committee yesterday, Solaita said they began their inspections with the Dept of Education’s Maintenance Division on June 22. In a follow up inspection they found that none of the conditions identified were corrected so they posted the signs at the schools.
There was a follow up inspection in July which found that School Lunch had done quite a bit of work to clean uo the cafeterias but nothing was done in the bathrooms and other areas by DOE Maintenance.
The explanation was “no materials and supplies.”
Solaita reported that DOh was at Matatula School last week and DOE Maintenance was just starting on repairs.
A report on the conditions found was distributed to Committee members: Dirty cafeterias, moldy walls and ceilings, build up of algae and mold, plaster falling off the ceilings, broken toilet seats, urinals and sinks.
Rep Logoituau Mark Atafua pointed to the postponement of the opening of the new school year, and asked Solaita if she felt “we as leaders have failed our children.”
She gave this reply.
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Solaita, Acting Director of Health, Vesi Fautanu Jr and staff were commended for their work not only with the inspection and closure of schools but also businesses.
