Teenage girls who become pregnant are being encouraged to stay in school by the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC).

This is a move to broaden the scope of inclusive education by the MEC and reinforce its commitment to support all students.

Speaking on the ministry’s inclusive education policy, MEC chief executive officer Aeau Christopher Hazelman emphasised that inclusivity extends beyond disabilities.

“When we say inclusive through the eyes of the ministry, it's not just disability. It's all of these other factors,” Hazelman said. “We do have cases where female students in schools get pregnant, but there's always that interpretation that students should now be left at home, you know, and not come back to school.”

Aeau said the ministry encourages open dialogue among school staff, parents, and students to ensure that young mothers are given the option to continue their education.

“One of the issues that is starting to arise… we want to ensure that they have that opportunity, that they can still come to school and sit the exams,” he said.

While some schools have welcomed back pregnant students, Hazelman acknowledged the cultural sensitivity around the issue. 

“I cannot generalise here because you have to go by a case-by-case basis,” he said. “But the opportunity to complete their studies has to be given.”

In many cases, pregnant students have been allowed to attend classes without wearing the standard school uniform, “for their comfort,” he added.

Aeau said, “At the end of the day, they're still very young… we want to ensure that all the children in Samoa have the opportunity to complete their education.”