Secondary Schools Make Peace
Leifiifi College and Saint Joseph's College Teachers and Students Peace Talk with Samoa Police and M.E.S.C
Photo: M.E.S.C
In mitigating violent brawls such as the recent dispute between Leifiifi College and Saint Joseph's College which transpired a few weeks ago, the Samoa Police Services together with the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture (M.E.S.C), collaborated to organize peace talks between the two schools.
Leifiifi College and Saint Joseph's College Students.
Photo: M.E.S.C
The recent brawl which hospitalized eight students and damaged properties owned by small businesses operating within the vicinity of the Fugalei and Savalalo markets, is not a new issue in Samoa, but Samoa Police and M.E.S.C are hoping that hosting the sit-down between the two schools will deter them from fighting one another.
Students and teachers from the two secondary schools, gathered at M.E.S.C's headquarters last Monday for a traditional ceremony aimed to ease tensions between them, and to ensure that such violent disputes wont occur in the future.
During his keynote address at the ceremony, the Commissioner of Samoa Police Prisons & Corrections Services, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo, urged all those who were present that violence is never the answer, and that Samoa Police will take action again those who initiate these disputes. "The law is the law, those who intend on breaking it will have to face the consequences of their actions. Any student or individual who intends to start a brawl and disrupt the peace will be charged, and can face a jail term of no less than 12 months," he said.
Commissioner of Samoa Police Prisons & Corrections Services, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo.
Photo: M.E.S.C
The Commissioner also added that in the event of a brawl between schools, any student arrested by Police for possessing a dangerous weapon can also face imprisonment for a period of 12 months, with other offenses such as causing grievous bodily harm to incur heavier penalties and longer jail time.
The Principals of both schools also relayed the same message as conveyed by the Commissioner, and urged their students that violence never solves anything and that it only leads to Tanumalala Prison.
The Assistant Chief Executive Officer of M.E.S.C, Tafaese Spencer, also advised the pupils of Saint Joseph's College and Leifiifi College to prioritize their education and to put learning first. "Think about your parents who put you through school and the pain you'll put them through if you get arrested because of causing fights in public places," said Tafaese.