Loau is chairing a ministerial committee to recommend possible solutions to the problem of inter-school violence.

"And it's high time we tackled the problem head-on by instituting zero tolerance reforms to eliminate the problem from the streets of Apia," he said.

"I fully support the need for regular public consultations with students, school principals and even parents with education officials and police."

"But it appears that talking is not helping the situation."

"To that end, rest assured that government is now working to ensure that those responsible will be dealt with to the full extent of the law."

The police have now charged 22 students over recent fights involving several schools.

The students are from Avele and Malua Fou College as well as the USP Alafua Campus and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints College at Pesega.

The police spokesperson Su'a Muli'aga Tiumalu said the students have been charged with disorderly behavior, armed with a dangerous weapon and use of electronic devices for the purpose of inciting violence as well as insulting words.

They will appear in court on May 17th.

Police said they arrested them after brawls on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday last week at the old Savalalo market bus terminal and in front of Malua Fou college compound.

In March a series of fights involving pupils from Avele and Saint Joseph's Colleges and the Don Bosco vocational training school left a teacher in hospital when he was hit by a rock in the forehead.

The Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture closed Avele college temporarily for the protection and security of its students after a brawl which involved students from Avele, Saint Joseph's and Faleata colleges.

Now the Cabinet has decided to close Avele indefinitely and the principal and teachers have been suspended until further notice.

Source

• savalinews.com
• radionz.co.nz
• radionz.co.nz
• talamua.com
• Image: loopsamoa.com

Samoa's Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture closed Avele College in Apia on Friday for the protection and security of its students.

The St Joseph's Day sports at St Joseph's College were cancelled to send a message to students that the behaviour at the brawl is unacceptable.

The director of Catholic education in Samoa, Aeau Chris Hazelman, met Don Bosco's principal and other senior officers of the schools to devise a way forward.

On Wednesday, Samoan police arrested three students and more arrests were made on Thursday.

This followed further brawling at the bus terminal behind the burnt flea market at Savalalo.

Mr Hazelman issued an apology to the whole Samoan nation.

Speaking on behalf of the Catholic schools involved, he said there is no excuse for the students' behaviour.

"We have decided to let the law carry its course and we will support the police in their investigation," he said.

Police reported that students with links to the violence used social media sites like Facebook to post videos and pictures.

Mr Hazelman asked parents to more closely monitor social media activity by their children.

Late last year, police in Samoa were called on to intervene after ongoing fights between school students at the Tafusi Markets.

Three years ago, an increasing number of brawls and student fights prompted the Samoan Ministry of Education to push Bible studies in public schools as a counter measure.

Sources

• Radio New Zealand
• Radio New Zealand
• Radio New Zealand
• Samoa Observer
• Image: Radio New Zealand

The principals of Avele and St. Joseph's Colleges met last Friday in an effort to find a solution.

Last Thursday fighting broke out after a school rugby match at the Saint Joseph's grounds at Alafua.

None of the current students from either colleges were involved in Thursday's brawl.

This is not the first time that Avele and St Joseph's Colleges have been involved in fights in public places.

Several years ago, the Government stepped in and stopped all inter-school sporting competitions when the fighting got worse.

A female student was seriously burnt when a kerosene bomb was thrown at the crowd during the fight at a public bus station.

The principals of both colleges today expressed sadness over Thursday's incident and have vowed to work together in ending what they called "this longstanding sickness".

Source

• Talamua
• Image: Talamua