Samoa decides against corporal punishment in schools

Samoa's Education Minister has made an about turn, saying the government has no plans to reintroduce corporal punishment into schools.

Last year the government closed a high school after a series of fights and although the scale of skirmishes has decreased violence in schools is still an issue.

Last month Loau Keneti Sio said the government could legalise corporal punishment in a bid to address the fighting.

He told local media that 'even in the bible there are multiple verses that talk about corporal punishment and how a child should be disciplined.'

But last week a visiting United Nations panel said it was concerned about corporal punishment in the home and called on the government to reject proposals to reintroduce such punishment in schools.

Loau said Cabinet had a discussion and have now decided against it.

"That's a concern that's coming up with the leaders and thinking that introducing the corporal punishment back will settle and fix this stupidity of students fighting but we have settled matters in a proper way in consultation and getting teachers in so no, actually it is not an issue."