The Champ of Champs was cancelled this year due to the unavailability of Apia Park and schools being behind in syllabus delivery.

The School Principals Association is responsible for organising the sporting activities that kicked off with the interschool competition this week and concludes with the Champ of Champs (C.O.C.). 

The Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.) for the Ministry of Education and Culture (M.E.C.) Aeau Chris Hazelman told the media on Thursday that the School Principal Association went to book Apia Park for the C.O.C. but was told the whole week was booked by the new Ministry of Sports for the Manu Samoa preparations. 

Any changes to push the C.O.C. later than September would not be granted by the Ministry.

The heads of schools were notified that sporting events, culture day, inspections or other school activities had to be done by 30 August reserving September for school work only. 

Aeau reminded the schedule for the school calendar was released last year giving enough time to principals to plan their programmes including sporting activities by the end of August. 

The Ministry will not go back on its decision noting an already tight schedule ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (C.H.O.G.M.) in October. 

Furthermore, the C.E.O. revealed a recent inspection of schools in Savaii on internal assessments found that assessments were up to date. There were concerns that many schools were behind on their syllabus deliverance. 

He said the principals had met and decided not to proceed with the C.O.C. due to the unavailability of the venue, secondly, it was almost September and thirdly the concern on syllabus deliverance not being up to date. 

Aeau added he is also sad that the sporting event cannot go ahead and the Ministry is supportive of it and its benefit to students.

Secondary schools have their national exams on 7^th October before it goes on a break while College have eight weeks left for their teaching instructions before their exams.