A shortage in school uniforms has caused problems for one school after parents purchased a wrongly coloured fabric for their children's uniform.

Moataa Primary School Principal, Vailili Tito, told the Samoa Observer on Monday that while there is a shortage of uniforms due to the delay in shipment for major school uniform supplier Eveni Carruthers, there is also a shortage in the material to sew uniforms.

"The problem right now is there is a shortage in the material," said Mr Tito, who added that this led to some students staying home.

Some parents also purchased the wrong coloured uniform, which in the case of Moataa Primary School is a shade of green.

Mr Tito revealed that some parents bought a green fabric from Eveni, which is similar to their official school colour, though the difference in hue was obvious when the children gathered for the school assembly.

He said he has asked Eveni staff to advise parents that the fabric being sold was not the school colour. 

Asked how many students were not attending school due to the uniform shortage, Mr Tito said it was a small percentage. However, students can still wear mufti to classes until they get their uniforms. 

Eveni Retail Manager, Mautu Mauuluulu, in response to questions from the Samoa Observer confirmed that they were in contact with the Moataa Primary School Principal.

“We have been in communication with the relevant principal and we are taking immediate action to ensure that any supply of uniforms are fully compliant with the requirements of the school,” Mautu said.

In early January Eveni notified the public of a delay in the shipment bringing new uniform stock for the school year. At that time they advised parents and students that their stock is scheduled to arrive in Samoa next month.

Asked about the shipment on Wednesday, Mautu said as it currently stands, their agent SWIRE Shipping has confirmed March 2021 for the arrival of their shipment.

“To make the best out of the current situation and until the arrival of the delayed shipment, since early January we have been offering a special 20 per cent discount if an order is reserved in advance with us,” he said.  “A lot of customers have opted for this option and this reservation special discount is still available until the end of February 2021.

“We wish to thank all the students, parents and schools who have accommodated this unfortunate situation and wish the students all the best for the new school year ahead.”

Uniform orders can be placed with the company by calling telephone 21414 or email [email protected]

Due to the uniform shortage the Moataa Primary School is also selling leftover stock from 2020 with uniform shirts going for $15 each.

Parents are still able to purchase material from tailoring retail outlets such as CCK or Samoa Stationery and Books, but Mr Tito cautioned them to make sure the colour is correct.

For students without uniforms, he explained that they have been given until Week 6 to be in full school uniform and emphasised that there would be no extensions beyond that week, as advised through the school newsletter. 

However, for the Vaivase Primary School it is business as usual with the Principal, Ana Latu Failauga, saying they haven't had any problems.

"There are no problems with the school uniform," Mrs. Failauga said, adding that all new students attended classes in uniform and this shows their parent's focus on children's education.

She said parents of their students had come up with alternative arrangements after they were notified of the shipment delay.