The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Education and Culture A'eau Christopher Hazelman said the decision to close Sagaga College from Wednesday to Friday was made to protect the school's principal and staff while allowing time to address internal issues.

The decision impacted more than 300 students. 

While A'eau refrained from going into specifics about the nature of the "internal issues," he suggested that the controversy stemmed from a disagreement between the school committee and the principal and her staff. 

Upon receiving the report of the issues, the Ministry acted swiftly, convening a meeting with the Minister on Tuesday that extended into the evening.

“We issued the notice on the Ministry’s official Facebook page because it was the quickest way to inform the public,” A'eau explained. “Our priority is to protect the principal and staff, and to intervene when such issues arise so they can be resolved in a peaceful and civilised manner."

A'eau emphasised that the decision to close the school was a collective one made at the Ministry’s management level, in consultation with the Minister. 

“The Principal and teachers are government representatives within the schools. Sagaga College, like any other district college, relies on collaboration between villages, the community, and parents for its success. Education is a collective effort and a communal obligation,” A'eau stated. 

“When problems occur, our focus is to do what is best for the staff and students, ensuring they are protected.

"Sagaga College is not the first school to go through such problems."

The Ministry has already held discussions with the school’s principal and staff, and additional consultations are planned with the school committee and district representatives. "The school will reopen on Monday because we do not want this issue to interfere with students' education," A'eau confirmed. 

"We will resolve this issue in the Samoan way—through face-to-face consultations and meaningful discussions."

A'eau believes that much of the tension between the teachers and the School Committee stemmed from misunderstandings. 

“It's crucial to sit down and talk through the issues,” he said. 

“Often too many times, these issues may seem challenging, but I’m confident we can reach a peaceful resolution if we set aside our positions and remember that, as leaders, we must prioritise our children. Our children are the future of our families, communities, and country.”

This is not the first time Sagaga College has faced such challenges. 

A'eau acknowledged that tensions between the school committee and the principal had been raised in the past, with the committee requesting the removal of the current principal last year. 

However, the Ministry had explained that the principal’s contract was under the Public Service Commission, and the situation needs to be handled according to protocol.

Sagaga College serves students from four electoral constituencies and is a government-run institution. 

While it operates under government oversight, the school works closely with the school committee and local communities for support. 

Despite the internal tensions, A'eau commended the school's consistent performance over the past three years in national examinations and praised its efforts in encouraging students to pursue various sports.

“The goal is clear. We all want to achieve the same vision: to educate and prepare our children for the future. Regardless of our roles—whether we’re committee members, principals, teachers, or even a CEO, we must come together as parents and guardians of our future leaders. When we speak as parents, I am confident we can resolve this issue effectively,” he said.

With the school set to reopen on Monday, A'eau remains optimistic that the issue will be resolved in a way that benefits both the staff and students, ensuring that Sagaga College continues its vital role in the education of Samoa’s future generations.