22 Aug 2013

American Samoa school woes prompts emergency declaration

6:33 pm on 22 August 2013

The American Samoa governor, Lolo Matalasi Moliga, has declared a State of Emergency for all public schools in the territory.

Lolo says it is in effect for 30 days starting from August the 5th when the Department of Health inspectors found that many of the schools were unfit to open.

He says the measure will enable the government to direct resources so that unsafe and unsanitary schools can be made ready.

In view of the threat to public health and welfare of schools, Lolo has authorised the Chief Procurement Officer to make emergency procurements in accordance with local statute.

All public schools on the main island of Tutuila are set to open on Monday.