Vice Speaker Fetui Fetu is calling on the Department of Education to come up with a quick remedy to address the unhealthy and unsafe conditions of schools in Manu’a so that they can be reopened quickly
Fetu said he and Rep Vala Porotesano Liusamoa have been unable to reach the Director of Education since Monday to express their concerns about the closure of the schools in their district. Faleasao and Fitiuta Elementary Schools as well as Manu’a High School are closed after inspections by the Environmental Services Division of DOH over the weekend and Monday.
The DOH Clinic in Tau and the EOB in Ofu which houses the DOH clinic, were also closed after the DOH inspections
Manu’a High School reported Tuesday morning that their students are holding classes on line.
Fetu said the same conditions that have been reported by DOH were brought to the attention of the DOE Director during recent hearings in the House. He and Rep Vala were scheduled to meet with Public Works and DOE Tuesday to seek assistance to fix the conditions with the school cafeterias, bathrooms and classrooms.
“We have repeatedly asked the Director of Education to give the same attention to the Manu’a schools that the department gives to schools on Tutuila,” he said. “Our constituents are asking where are our representatives? Why aren’t they helping?”
The Vice Speaker told KHJ News, the loss of instruction time for students in Manu’a is of grave concern and they have suggested alternative arrangements such as holding classes in church halls for the time being.
