The Ministry of Education (MEC) has declared an immediate blackout period for all secondary schools, and no, this is not about electricity.

Starting Monday, 9 June, to minimise disruptions ahead of the country’s snap election on 29 August, Chief Executive Officer A’e’au Christopher Hazelman announced last week that the blackout is to help students' and teachers' preparations ahead of exam season.

His aim is for students to focus fully on academic responsibilities during what is already a demanding period. August and September mark a busy stretch for schools, with internal assessments due, mark capture forms to process, verification visits underway, and preparations intensifying for the Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment in early September.

Under the blackout, school visits and external programs are suspended unless previously approved by the Association of Principals and the Ministry. The move is designed to reduce pressure on teachers and students as they complete the curriculum and prepare for exams.

While most extracurricular activities are paused, scheduled sports such as rugby will continue, particularly as the season nears its end. Athletics, however, has been cancelled this year due to the demolition of the grandstand at Apia Park.

Some principals have welcomed the announcement, saying it eases the burden on schools during an already packed academic term. 

"I am glad this has been announced. Now, there is less pressure on us and we can turn our focus on our students," said a secondary school principal. Another principal noted that preparations have been underway since the snap election was announced.

“We’ve had to plan for this. Normally, other ministries run their programs in schools, but now those have been put on hold to avoid any further interruptions, especially during these final weeks of exams [for our college].”

The Ministry also reassured communities that essential functions such as teacher appraisals and school governance will proceed uninterrupted. Parents and the wider public are being urged to support students by minimising distractions and encouraging study time at home.

The Ministry acknowledged the unexpected nature of the election but stressed that protecting students’ learning time is a national priority. The blackout will remain in place until further notice.