The former prime minister, whose administration set up a primary school on an old prison facility, says it was suitable and catered for the children of families who just moved in at that time.

The former administration's decision in 2020 to convert the disused Tafaigata prison into a primary school has come under criticism from a former member of the United Nations Child Rights Committee (CRC) Justice Vui Clarence Nelson. He was of the view that the St Paul's Academy at Tafaigata is not suitable for early childhood education as it breaches national laws.

However, the veteran Lepa M.P. and former prime minister, Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi while acknowledging that it was a former prison site, said its use as the site of a new primary school was to cater for children, whose families just moved into the area at that time and were part of a new village. 

“Thanks, I saw the building that was used as a prison for women. It was suitable for a primary school for all the new settlements in the adjacent areas, safe and near to the new villages especially where many of the people are poor," said Tuilaepa, in response to questions from the Samoa Observer. 

"The church can be used also as a hall, the other fales for police can be used as a kindergarten and so it was done, I was present at the opening to ensure that the facilities were used and prevent people from stealing the timbers at night with the help of former prisoners and police that have no principles."

But Justice Vui, in an interview with this newspaper early last week, said the conversation of the old prison at Tafaigata into the St. Paul's Academy at Tafaigata was "unheard of anywhere in the world" and raised concerns about its suitability for early childhood education pupils. 

“Clearly a child has got a right to education and it should be in a facility that’s appropriate and fit for purpose,” said Justice Vui. “The prison is built as a prison and not built in any way fit for the purpose of a school. 

"Bars on windows, what school has bars on windows? The building has got to be over 40 years old. If you have been there you would have seen the condition. There is a set of requirements in the Education Act that have to be looked at and followed.” 

The legislation that the former CRC member makes reference to is Section 31 subsection (c) of the Education Act 2009, which states that the Minister and any approved organisation must take into account the provision of an adequate building or buildings and appropriate facilities for staff and students. Subsection (d) requires the provision of an appropriate outdoor play area.

Samoa's Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture (M.E.S.C.) is yet to respond to questions that were sent by this newspaper last week seeking their comment after Justice Vui raised his concerns.