The Department of Education shipped materials and supplies to fix schools in Manu’a earlier this week and a crew from the Maintenance division traveled to Manu’a to make repairs, do clean up work and fix other conditions which led to the closure of the schools by the Department of Health three weeks ago.
This is according to testimony by the Director of Education Maefau Dr Mary Taufetee during a hearing of the Senate Education Committee into the closure of Manu’a schools on Wednesday.
The Head of the Environmental Services Division of the Department of Health Aileen Solaita gave a detailed description of conditions they found during their inspection of the Manu’a schools in late February. Photos documenting these conditions were provided to Senators. Some of the bathrooms did not have sinks, there was no hot water in some kitchens which means utensils were not sanitized, piles of rubbish were seen in classrooms, mold and mildew covered school buildings, there were broken chairs and desks posing danger to students, damaged toilet seat covers, overpowering stench from the bathroom in the school kitchen, and low water pressure. She said the septic tanks of some school kitchens were busted and it was reported that the kitchens are used by families, churches and the village when they have faalavelave or other village events. This statement was disputed by Manu’a Senator Ma’o Faauma Gogo.
Solaita said the last time they inspected Manu’a schools was in 2021. She revealed that former Director of Health Motusa Tuileama Nua had prohibited them from conducting inspections in Manu’a. The first opportunity to visit the Manu’a schools was in February.
Director Maefau said DOE was not made aware of the DOH inspection before it happened; she only learned about it after the DOH team was already in Manu’a. She did not dispute the DOH report of conditions found in schools there. She said while DOE has tried to carry out maintenance in all schools, funding is inadequate. “When we take our invoices to stores, they will not accept them. They want payment up front,” she told senators.
DOE’s Deputy Director for Maintenance, Athena Mauga explained that the fund for School Maintenance collects about $500,000 a month. This is derived from a portion of the excise tax on fuel. About $300,000 goes to paying DOE Maintenance personnel leaving just $200,000 for materials and supplies. None of the schools in Manu’a have janitors or bathroom monitors.
While the elementary schools in Fitiuta, Faleasao and Ofu are closed, students are taking classes online. Students without internet at home are given lesson packets.
Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean asked the DOE Director how the department can afford to pay overtime and let conditions in Manu’a schools get so bad. According to Director Maefau the overtime for Maintenance Division staff is because they can only carry out repairs after classes are finished.
Manu’a Senator Ma’o said he didn’t want to hear DOE saying they will try. “Do what’s needed now,” he told the DOE officials, adding that students have to be in class with their teachers.
He and other senators were thankful for the DOH inspection which has brought to light the situation of schools in Manu’a.
