The Samoa Ministry of Education is enlisting help from the business community to enforce its compulsory education law.
Photo: RNZI Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
The Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture says it is deeply concerned that 11 years after Samoa made education compulsory, some children are still not attending school.
Its CEO, Matafeo Tanielu Aiafi, says parents and small businesses use children during and after school hours to sell goods on the street.
He says a number of business representatives attended a seminar in which senior officers of the police and education ministries explained the compulsory education law, its requirements and punishments.
Representatives of the two ministries will be visiting schools and the town area this week to monitor the problem.
Businesses, parents and the public are asked to report any child not in school during school hours.