The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) A'eau Christopher Hazelman agrees that schools need to upgrade infrastructure to cater for students with mobility challenges.

He responded to reports about a 14-year-old wheelchair-confined student allegedly denied admission to Maluafou College due to his condition.

With nearly three decades of experience in the education sector, A'eau, who has served as the former Director of Catholic Education and as a school principal, expressed his thoughts on the situation. 

Although he stated that he was not fully informed about the specifics of the incident, A'eau offered an objective perspective on the challenges schools faced when accommodating students with disabilities.

A'eau emphasised that, as a former school principal, his immediate concerns would revolve around the physical and logistical aspects of providing the necessary support for a student in a wheelchair. 

"The first thing that comes to mind naturally when a student confined to a wheelchair asks for an opportunity to enrol is, ‘Do we have the infrastructure to accommodate this student? Can we care for him during his time at the school?’" he explained.

He pointed out that many schools in Samoa, particularly those with older facilities, were not equipped with the infrastructure necessary to support students with mobility challenges. 

"We need to consider the accessibility of the learning environment—can the student access other essential facilities, like bathrooms? Do we have disability-friendly infrastructure to meet their needs?" 

A'eau stressed the importance of ensuring that schools are physically prepared to support such students, noting that these considerations are essential for the safety and well-being of the child.

He also acknowledged the responsibility that schools bear when enrolling a student. 

"When a student is enrolled, parents and guardians trust the school to care for their child during school hours. This trust requires principals to assess whether their school can provide the necessary care and facilities," he said.

While the issue of accessibility remains a challenge, A'eau highlighted that mission schools in Samoa, such as Channel College, have made significant strides in promoting inclusivity. Channel College, he noted, was among the first to install ramps to ensure that students in wheelchairs could navigate the campus more easily.

He further expressed that the Ministry of Education and Culture was committed to encouraging inclusivity across all schools. 

However, he acknowledged that the lack of proper facilities is a barrier to full inclusion and that improving infrastructure to cater to the needs of students with disabilities is a priority for the future.

"We recognise the need for better facilities, and this is something we hope to improve in the coming years. Inclusivity is a goal we strive for, but it’s also about ensuring that schools are equipped to truly meet the needs of all students," A'eau concluded.

The discussion reflects the broader conversation in Samoa about how best to support students with disabilities and the ongoing effort to create a more inclusive education system for all.