Parents have praised the decision by the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture (MESC) to postpone the Samoa School Certificate (S.S.C.) and Samoa School Leaving Certificate (S.S.L.C.) examinations.

Four parents from different villages told the Samoa Observer in separate interviews on Tuesday that the health of their children comes first and they support the Ministry’s decision to postpone the Year 12 and Year 13 exams until further notice.

A 69-year-old parent from Lepa, Konelio Fili Galuvao, said the exams can always be done at another time and the authorities should not take their chances with measles.

“The M.E.S.C. postponing exams is the right thing because of the measles spreading in the country, and until the measles is stopped then it (exams) can always be done on another day,” he said.

While all parents are keen to hear of their children’s academic performance, Mr. Galuvao said getting reports of measles infections is the danger that the students will face. 

“Having to see and hear how good the child has done well in School and later on finding out those other students have been affected by measles is really sad,” he added.

Another parent Makerita L.Titio, who is a 43-year-old mother from Vaivase, said she loves her children and their vulnerability to measles remains and she will not take the risks. 

“I love my child and I don't want my child to get affected with measles and that is why I support the MESC decision to postpone exams, and I want to put my child health first,” she said. “There will be another day for the students to take their exams, but them having measles will be a great pain for parents and prevention is better than cure.”

Another parent Uaine Sa, whose daughter is in Year 12 at Aana 2 College, said she would rather her daughter is at home and has less risk of infection than sitting for her exams in school and get infected. 

“I don’t want my child to sit the exams and then find out later that she was infected with measles which will be sad for me as a mother,” she said.

Fifty-six-year-old Mrs Lameko expressed similar sentiments and said there is always another time to do the exams

“For me I am not worried about my kids not complete their exams, because there are other days they can sit their exams but the most important is their life,” she added.