PM tells teachers to resign if they’re involved in illegal drugs

By Lagi Keresoma/

“Afai o e a’afia, fai le mea e tatau ona fai; faamavae ae alu e a’oa’o tagata e felelei faapena.” 

Apia, SAMOA – 24 December 2025: Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt did not mix words when he told teachers to resign if they are involved in illegal drugs.

The Prime Minister issued the challenge at a special meeting called with all teachers at Vaimauga College yesterday morning.

The meeting is the latest the Prime Ministers has held since coming into office, that included meetings with the Chief Executive Officers of all Government Ministries and State Owned Enterprises, Village Mayors, the Medical Association, Board Members of the State Owned Enterprises and the National Council of Christian Churches to address major social and economic issues the country is facing that need all to work together with the government in addressing these issues.

Yesterdays meeting with the teachers addressed the teacher’s performance, the sliding literacy and numeracy results, salaries and working conditions and the growing involvement of students and two teachers in illegal drugs.

“If you are involved, do the right thing and resign and go teach those who fly high with you on drugs,” said Laauli.

He referred to two teachers who were arrested and currently under police custody during a drug raid last week.

The teachers are a couple; one teaches at a Mission School the other at a Government College. He also referred to Vaimauga College, the venue of the meeting, where students from the college were filmed with suggested involvement in illegal drugs.

The Prime Minister said a few have given the teaching profession a bad name.

“Talofa i le igoa ta’uleleia o le Asosi ma e le a’afia ai o i latou o lo’o faia galuega lelei, latou o lo’o tusi aao e a’oa’oina alo ma fanau. Tau ina avatu faapena, ae o lo’o i’ina le tofā e maopopo ai le puipuiga,” said Laauli.

Last Saturday, the Prime Minister and Cabinet met with the church leaders through the National Council of Churches (NCC) with the same message on illegal drugs and the social challenges the country is now facing.

Churches have a wider platform where they can help in spreading the message against illegal drugs.

Although yesterday’s meeting was specifically for teachers, Laauli publicly acknowledged that there are public servants from other sectors who have been confirmed to be involved in illegal drugs such as police, accountants, lawyers and others.

He urged the teachers to do their part, as they have major role in addressing not only the rapidly growing drug problem but in preparing and influencing the country’s future generations and leaders.

Teach respectful language
The disrespectful language on social media is another major concern for the Government and the Prime Minister called on teachers to be mindful of such.

He referred to this growing problem as sad and destructive signs that have damaged human relations and respect that is the basis of Samoan social structure.

“Ua va’aia atatata fasia i luga oi upega tafailagi ma ua tele aafiaga leaga mo tatou, e tatalo atu i faiaoga ia taulamua i le a’oa’oina o fanau i le gagana fa’aaloalo ma le fa’atamalii,” he said.

The Prime Minister said he was not blaming and pointing the finger at anyone as the disrespectful language emanate from the country’s parliamentarians.

Opportunities for all students
Laauli understand the need for utilising every opportunity.

He said not all students will make it academically, “and if you cannot fit into that category, there are opportunities to utilize natural talents such as sports.”

He said teachers do not only teach inside the classrooms but also out on the field where students talents are developed.

Sports brings in as much revenue just as any other employment, he said.

Good school building & healthy food
During the FAST campaign before the general election in August 2025, health and education were two of many initiatives the FAST wanted to implement given the rising incidence of lifestyle diseases and the high cost and impact on the economy.

Laauli reiterated the Government’s push to ensuring education and health are given priority.

He reminded that at the time he was the Speaker of Parliament, he led the Samoa Parliamentary Advocacy Group for Healthy Living (SPAGHL) that inspected and resulted in the closure of several schools due to very poor hygiene and sanitation.

SPAGHL also started the push for healthy food and lunches for students, and the FAST Government is looking to continue that initiative through the Dostrict Development Project.

The Prime Minister concluded by urging the teachers and the ministry to speak to their ministers and let the government know of any issues that need to be addressed in order to improve education in the country.

“Leave politics to us, and you do what you do best,” he urged the teachers.