Frustrated students and parents face anxious wait

By Ilia L Likou 02 February 2017, 12:00AM

Parents and anxious students continue to queue at the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture’s headquarters at Malifa to await results.

The queues have been there since Monday as students become desperate to see their results to allow them to enroll at the National University of Samoa and other learning institutions.

Yesterday, one parent, Tupa’i Tautalaaso, accused the Ministry of being careless.

 “This is very disappointing,” she said. 

“My son needs to be in school at this time, but the results have come out really late….”

Most of the schools have started this week. At the N.U.S and other tertiary institutions, enrolments have been going for a couple of weeks. 

But for many students, they cannot enroll.

The unavailability of their results have left them angry and frustrated. 

 “I am a mother from Falealili,” one parent said. 

“On Monday I went to check on my son’s result with the Principal but he told me that they’re still waiting for it.

“Then on Tuesday, I got the same answer, then I told my son there’s no time left to wait. 

“The best option was to head straight to the main office of the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture at Malifa.

“I was really shocked to see so many parents and students still waiting for the results.”

The angry mother called the whole situation “crazy.”

“My son’s marks for Math needs a recount because we were told that when the initial result was given out, it didn’t include his Internal Assignment (I.A.) marks.

“We all know the cost of living that we’re facing every day, many families are struggling with their daily needs but always take their childrens' education as a priority.

“And yet this is what these government officials are doing.”

The mother said this cannot be allowed to continue.

 “While the results are delayed, the fathers of these students are out there in the hot sun and at sea working very hard to find money to fund their children’s education so they can excel in life. 

“Yes we’re talking about money, we’re talking hardships every day.”

She expressed disappointment with M.E.S.C. and how inconsiderate they have become.

“The Prime Minister should understand and know that we’re not using kigikugage to pay for our childrens' education,” one mother said.

One student who the Samoa Observer spoke to yesterday, Junior Loia, said he is frustrated.

“The thing is I need my S.C. result to enroll at one of the schools,” he said.

 “As a student, I’m worried that I might have no chance to enroll at the school’s Year 13 class because the results are late.

He told the Samoa Observer he’s looking forward to getting his results so that he could go to school early next week.

It was impossible to get an official comment from the Ministry yesterday. 

Last week, the Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Loau Keneti Sio, apologised to the nation for the ongoing problems with the end of year exam results caused by the Ministry.

Loau issued the apology in Parliament on the back of many complaints from Members of Parliament about how the latest problem with the S.S.L.C. result has affected their constituents.

“The truth is this is not a new issue. It started on 2013 and this issue has been happening over the years. But we are doing our best to solve it,” Loau said.“I admit that the Ministry made a mistake, but we are doing our best to avoid having such problems. Our main priority is to improve on our service to nurture and educate the future leaders of Samoa.

 “I cannot hide in the shadow of the tree or try to make up excuses. The truth is, the Ministry made a mistake. But mistakes can teach us great lessons moving forward. This can help improve our work. I apologise on behalf of the Ministry to our country.”

By Ilia L Likou 02 February 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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