Update: Elementary schools in Manu’a continue to be closed
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The closure of schools in Manuʻa has had an immediate impact on students and families. Elementary schools in Fitiuta, Faleasao, and Ofu remain closed while repairs and clean-up efforts continue. There is no word when these schools will re-open. Samoa News understands that it will need the okay from the Department of Health, as they closed the schools after conducting health inspections in late February. Specific health problems that the DOH found during its inspection of Manuʻa schools, were detailed by the Head of the Environmental Services Division at DOH, Aileen Solaita, to senators during a hearing about the closure of Manu’a schools. She provided a detailed briefing on the department’s inspection accompanied by photographs documenting the conditions found on the ground. Among the key findings she outlined were: Bathrooms without sinks, preventing students, teachers, and staff from properly washing their hands and maintaining basic hygiene. No hot water in some school kitchens, meaning dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment could not be properly sanitized, raising concerns about food safety. Piles of rubbish inside classrooms, creating an unhealthy learning environment and potentially attracting pests. Mold and mildew on school buildings, a sign of long-term moisture and ventilation problems that can trigger or worsen respiratory illnesses and other health issues. Broken chairs and desks, which not only made classrooms uncomfortable but also posed physical danger to students using damaged furniture. Damaged toilet seat covers, further contributing to already poor sanitation conditions in school bathrooms. An overpowering stench from bathrooms located near or within school kitchen areas, indicating possible wastewater or ventilation failures. Low water pressure, which made it difficult to clean facilities properly and maintain hygiene standards. Solaita told senators that some of the septic tanks connected to school kitchens were busted, raising alarm about potential sewage leaks and contamination around areas where food is prepared. As previously reported, to keep instruction going, the Department of Education (DOE) has turned to remote learning. Students with access to the internet are taking classes online. Those who do not have internet service at home are being provided with printed lesson packets, which they use to complete assignments and continue their studies from home. While this temporary arrangement allows learning to continue, senators and education officials alike, acknowledged that it is not an adequate long-term substitute for in-person instruction — particularly for younger students who benefit most from classroom learning and direct interaction with teachers. DOE response Appearing separately before the Senate Education Committee, Director of Education Maefau Dr. Mary Taufeteʻe addressed lawmakers’ questions about how the Department of Education is responding to the DOH findings and what steps are being taken to reopen the schools safely. Maefau testified that DOE has already moved to address the most urgent problems identified in the DOH report. Earlier this week, she said, materials and supplies were shipped to Manuʻa specifically to support repair and clean-up efforts at the affected schools. In addition, a crew from the DOE Maintenance Division traveled to Manuʻa to carry out on-site repairs. Their tasks include cleaning school facilities, fixing broken furniture and structures, addressing some of the sanitation issues cited by DOH, and working to bring the schools back into compliance so they can re-open. Maefau said she does not dispute the conditions described by DOH in its report. Instead, she pointed to long-standing funding constraints that have affected the department’s ability to maintain school facilities across the territory. DOE Deputy Director for Maintenance, Athena Mauga confirmed a critical gap in daily facility care: none of the schools in Manuʻa has janitors or bathroom monitors. This lack of on-site custodial staff means that even minor issues, such as leaks or spills, can go unaddressed and eventually grow into serious sanitation and safety problems. Senators demand swift and concrete action Lawmakers from Manuʻa and other districts voiced frustration and concern over how conditions were allowed to deteriorate so badly, and how long it has taken to address them. Manuʻa Senator Maʻo Faauma Gogo urged DOE officials to move beyond general assurances and commit to decisive action. “Don’t say you will try,” he told them. “Do what’s needed now,” emphasizing that students should be physically present in their classrooms with their teachers, rather than learning from home or online because their school buildings are unsafe. Several lawmakers said the inspection has exposed the true extent of the problems in Manuʻa schools, bringing long-standing issues into full public view and creating a clear and urgent mandate for action by both DOH and DOE. Senators expressed appreciation to DOH for conducting the inspection and documenting conditions in detail. They said it underscored the need to restore safe, sanitary, and structurally sound learning environments for Manuʻa students and to ensure that similar conditions do not go unaddressed in other schools throughout American Samoa. As repair crews continue their work in Manuʻa and DOE reassesses how maintenance funds are allocated, senators signaled that they will be watching closely — and that they expect regular updates on progress, timelines for reopening, and long-term plans to prevent a repeat of the current crisis. Section: Local News Tags: MANU'A SCHOOLS
2026-03-17 17:41:17