P.M. Tuilaepa blames parents

By Lanuola Tupufia – Ah Tong 09 October 2016, 12:00AM

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, blames what he calls uneducated parents for the growing number of children hawking goods in Apia at night.

Speaking during his weekly media conference, Tuilaepa said the government formulates policies, monitors the laws while parents have a responsibility to protect their children.

“The government has its own role but parents too have their own part to play,” Tuilaepa said.

He added that the government is mindful of the disturbing trend.

“The government is trying to help them but the parents are at fault. They are only looking at the money but not the safety of their children. 

“These parents are uneducated…”

Tuilaepa called on parents to value their roles in protecting their children.

 “If children continue to walk around after dark there will come across drunks and bad people who are rapists,” he said. 

Everyone has a role to play, he said. 

“The government has to work together with parents.”

The Police should also be proactive.

“The Police should enforce this in their patrol in town because it’s not just children it includes other people who are doing bad things under the coconut trees.”

Earlier this week, a concerned parent sent a photo of a child vendor sleeping at the Mc. Donald’s drive thru in town. 

The parent, who only wanted to be identified as Tula, said the sight was sad. 

“It was getting late at night and we drove into McDonald’s for a feed when I saw this kid slouching, fast asleep inches from the drive thru,” Tula wrote in an email to the Samoa Observer.

“I swear he could’ve been killed, especially given the number of drunk drivers who go through Maccas drive through at night. He was fast asleep and looked so out of it while still holding on to the stuff he was instructed to sell.”

Tula woke him up, bought him some food and told him to go home.

By Lanuola Tupufia – Ah Tong 09 October 2016, 12:00AM
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