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Samoa gov't cracks down on child labor

Shops and businesses be warned!Selling goods to young people who should be in school and encouraging them to re-sell it is illegal and it could land you in jail.That’s the combined message from the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture and the Ministry of Police as they step up the enforcement of the country’s Compulsory Education Law.With most students returning to school next Monday, the Ministries will have three teams of officials monitoring areas where young street vendors are known to congregate instead of going to school.The teams will cover the entire Apia Township and nearby villages stretching all the way to Puipa’a on west Upolu and Letogo to the east.Teams will also monitor the Falealili Road from Apia up to Vailima and Vaoala.The Ministries held a public consultation yesterday at the National University of Samoa where the plan was discussed.Speaking during the meeting, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Education, Matafeo Falanaipupu Aiafi, said it is disappointing that despite the Compulsory Education Act 2009; many young people are still not in schools.A lot of them are found on the streets of Apia hawking goods and pestering members of the public during school hours.The C.E.O said the Compulsory Education Law was put in place by the government because of the importance of education.But that wasn't all.Due to complaints from parents that they could not afford school fees, the government – with assistance from donor countries Australia and New Zealand – have made free education a reality in Samoa.