Staff Writer
Afamasaga Dr. Karoline Fuata’i, bowed out graciously today as Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture, MESC, Monday 21 February 2022.
Cabinet annulled her contract extension effective immediately, her CEO role was brought to an abrupt ending today as well.
Afamasaga was accused last week of insubordination and asked to resign, over a MESC public notice to delay the re-start of schools for the younger students at primary classes.
The Minster of Agriculture La’auli Schmidt accused the CEO of disrespecting the Prime Minister’s announcement for schools to restart after the lifting of the COVID 19 State of Emergency restrictions.
Afamasaga, however, in a press conference today, felt the issue was to do with miscommunication over two separate Cabinet decisions.
“The first announced the extension of the SOE restrictions to March so we went ahead and planned the re-start of schools accordingly,” Afamasaga explained.
There was, however, a second Cabinet decision that came after on the lifting of restrictions sent to all Ministries on a Public Service Commission circular.
Afamasaga learned of the Cabinet follow up decision too late to stop the MESC public notice that had gone out already for an early school re-start and was quickly cancelled.
The Minister of Education was aware of the mix up and brushed off the resignation calls by the Minister of Agriculture as unimportant before today’s surprise Cabinet decision.
Afamasaga was still gracious enough not to blame the Government for any unfair decision to end her contract unexpectedly.
She also remained respectful and diplomatic by wiling to take the blame for any lapses she and her staff may be responsible for.
Cabinet approved her contract extension when her second formal 3-year contract ended 8 February 2022.
Afamasaga was to continue as CEO from the 9 February 2022 until a new appointment is made in the next 3 or 4 months time.
Despite the questionable decision to end her contract immediately, Afamasaga, accepted the Cabinet power to do that.
Where to next was a non-issue for the former CEO who was more interested in organising packing boxes for her personal belongings.