24 Sep 2008

American Samoa Governor wants action over school violence

3:35 pm on 24 September 2008

American Samoa's Governor Togiola Tulafono has asked two government departments to provide information about violence and truancy among students.

The governor's request for data was in response to a House Resolution which calls for security guards to be placed in high schools to deal with unruly behavior among students.

Last Friday, police responded to reports about students stoning buildings at Lions Park.

Officers say they are seeing signs of another flare up between high schools stemming from football, but declined to name the schools involved.

Togiola says he has asked the Departments of Education and Public Safety to supply him with any relevant reports regarding student violence and truancy.

He says the education and well being of students during and after school hours is one of his priorities.