Pacific

Brawling leads to early end of American Samoa school sport

14:15 pm on 28 April 2010

The Department of Education in American Samoa has cancelled all high school sporting events for the rest of the school year.

The Director of Education Dr Claire Poumele says the consensus was reached at a meeting of all public high school administrators, counselors and athletic directors, after a fight broke out between students last week following a boys' soccer championship.

She says the incident was one of a string of mishaps outside the classroom that have affected students' learning and more emphasis will now be placed on the academic aspect of school.

"Throughout the school year there have been incidents reported. And when we have public safety escorting the school buses back to the school to ensure the safety of the players, that is of concern. And that is what happened on Thursday evening again."

Dr Claire Poumele says there are only four weeks of school remaining and the cancellations will only affect the basketball and baseball playoffs.