A controversial decision by the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) to temporarily close Sagaga College in Afega has drawn sharp criticism, with one senior member of the school’s board calling the move "irresponsible."

The decision was announced in a public notice issued on Tuesday evening, which informed parents, guardians, and staff that Sagaga College would be closed on Wednesday, with no explanation provided. 

The notice, signed by the Minister for Education Seuula Ioane Tuuau, further instructed the school’s teachers to report to the Ministry's headquarters in Malifa. 

However, the notice did not elaborate on the reasons behind the closure, leaving many in the community confused and concerned.

The notice mentioned that parents would be updated shortly about when school would resume.

Maulolo Tavita Amosa, a senior committee member on the Sagaga College Board and member of parliament, was quick to express his disappointment. "It's a very irresponsible move," Maulolo told this newspaper. 

"I have no idea what led to this decision, and the notice was shared on Facebook instead of through proper channels, leaving many people uninformed."

The lack of communication from the ministry has left parents and teachers in a state of uncertainty.

A parent of a Sagaga College student, speaking anonymously, described the situation as bewildering. 

"I was shocked when my son came home and told me that school was cancelled for the day. I heard from other parents that the notice was posted on Facebook, but I don’t use Facebook often, and my son doesn’t have a phone. 

"We had no idea school was cancelled," the parent explained. "I asked around, but no one seemed to understand why this decision was made. All I know is that the Ministry is talking with the principal and the teachers."

The closure also raised concerns about the impact on students' education. Maulolo, who is deeply invested in the school’s success, emphasised the importance of maintaining a stable learning environment. "The results of last year’s national examinations showed that there is still a lot of work to be done. We cannot afford disruptions like this that interfere with students’ learning opportunities. The students are the ones who suffer in the end," he said.

While the Ministry has yet to explain the sudden closure, Maulolo indicated that the board would take action if no clarification is given. "We will wait for another two days, but if we don’t receive any information or an explanation, then we will take the next steps," he stated.

In the absence of an official explanation, Maulolo also suggested that if the ministry had concerns about the principal or any issues with the school committee, they should have addressed them directly rather than taking such a drastic step. 

"If they are unhappy with the principal or with me, they should just call. We can discuss any issues they have rather than cancelling school and leaving everyone in the dark," he said.

Attempts to reach the Minister of Education for further comment were unsuccessful.

For now, the school remains closed, and the Sagaga College community is left waiting for answers.