By: Jasmine Netzler-Iose, Gvt Press. The Ministry of Education and Culture’s Chief Executive Officer A’eau Chris Hazelman has confirmed the suspension of the start of Term 3 for several government schools next week in response to a request from the Ministry of Health.
The C.E.O. made this confirmation on the Ministry’s social media platform earlier today.
According to A’eau the decision is based on a request made by the Acting C.E.O. of the Ministry of Health, Auliaimalae Tagaloa Dr. Robert Thomsen to his ministry, when he met with him yesterday as a result of the increasing number of infected children from dengue fever.
The decision includes, the suspension of All Government Pre-schools/Early Childhood Education, and Year 1 to Year 7 levels of Primary Schools for the school districts of Vaimauga 1, Vaimauga 2, Faleata 1, Faleata 2, Sagaga 1, Sagaga 2, Aana 1 and Aana 2.
The suspension will be effective on Monday 21 July until Friday 25 July 2025 unless any further changes are made by the Ministry following an update from the Ministry of Health regarding the progress of the infected by the outbreak.
A’eau explains the reason why these school districts are specifically targeted is because the Ministry of Health records indicate that 90 per cent (%) of the infected are from these Apia or urban areas.
All Year 8 students in all Primary Schools as well as colleges will report to school as usual on Monday 21 July 2025 he stressed.
According to A’eau he was informed by Auliaimalae that their records reflect the most infected are children aged 10 years and younger.
This is why the years 1 to 7 primary school levels are suspended for starting next week.
A’eau also called out to Church and private school directors, principals and teachers to consider the same for their students until a change in the increase in the infected has been minimised.
Teachers are also reminded that although students in pre-schools and levels 1 to 7 of Primary Schools will not be in next week, they still have to turn up to work and carry out their usual duties.
The MEC will be working closely with School Inspectors to close monitor the changes.
He also encouraged these school districts to tend to making changes to the school grounds ensuring a safer and secure environment for the student’s health and wellbeing reducing the risks from getting infected by mosquitos and dengue fever.
A team from the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Press and Communication Division met with Acting C.E.O. of the Ministry of Health later this afternoon regarding the dengue fever situation.
They confirmed from Auliaimalae that his ministry reached out to A’eau for support in ensuring the control of the spread of the infection.
He also confirmed that the named school districts were the most dominant areas of infection.
According to Auliaimalae dengue fever has no known cure but prevention is the best chances to ensure not being infected.
Two children have also been reported to have passed as a result of dengue fever.
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DENGUE FEVER
Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes according to according to the World Health Organisation website.
And, about half of the world’s population is now at risk of dengue with an estimated 100–400 million infections occurring annually.
Dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas including Samoa.
While many dengue infections are asymptomatic or produce only mild illness, the virus can occasionally cause more severe cases, and even death.
According to the W.H.O., “Prevention and control of dengue depend on vector control. There is no specific treatment for dengue/severe dengue, and early detection and access to proper medical care greatly lower fatality rates of severe dengue.”
In many cases people with dengue will not portray any symptoms, those who do however commonly suffer from high fever, headache, body aches, nausea, and rash.
The infection is known to see most recovering with-in 1–2 weeks while some people develop severe dengue and need care in a hospital with severe cases, being fatal.
W.H.O. encourages lowing the risks of being infected by avoiding mosquito bites especially during the day.
Dengue can also be treated with pain medicine because there is no specific treatment.
Please visit the Ministry of Health Samoa or the https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue website for futher information about dengue fever to help keep you informed.
For any further questions about the suspension of classes for the Pre-Schools and Primary Schools from Year 1 to 7 please contact the Ministry of Education and Culture.
