6 25. The Government recently proposed an amendment to the Education Act 2009 to allow ‘reasonable force’ to be used by teachers in schools.5 NHRI Samoa, considers this amendment inexplicable. Approval would have a grave impact on children because reasonable force (physical or otherwise) and violence cannot easily be distinguished, one from the other. NHRI Samoa in a submission to the relevant Parliamentary committee has pleaded for consideration of the proposed amendment to be postponed until Parliament has considered the Inquiry report and its recommendations. (See Recommendation 13). 26. The Inquiry report also points to the lack of sexual education content in the current school curriculum. It also stresses the need for appropriate language to be developed to enable frank discussion of sexual issues with children and among people in general for purposes of greater enlightenment. (See Recommendation 12). Article 11: Employment 27. The pay disparity between women and men village representatives is noted in the Inquiry report. This situation is not only discriminatory but it reinforces gender hierarchy and its impact on family violence (See Recommendation 19). 28. NHRI Samoa also notes that issues and recommendations regarding employment are discussed in the 2015 and 2016 SHRRs.6 Continuing examination of the situation of those in informal employment is needed. Article 12: Health 29. There is a lack of focus on family violence as a matter of public health. Unsurprisingly therefore, health professionals are not trained to appropriately deal with patients who are victims of family violence. There is no screening process, insufficient allied services for referral and a need to properly document cases of family violence. 30. Another major concern is the lack of adequate and quality counselling services for victims of family violence. 31. The above issues are discussed in the Inquiry report with proposals as to ways to move forward (See Recommendations 26 and 27). See Member’s Pre-Sitting Briefing Summary June 2018. Retrieved from http://www.palemene.ws/new/members-presitting-briefing-summary-june-2018/. Accessed 9 July 2018. See also Mata’afa Keni Lesa. ““Reasonable force under reasonable circumstance” could kill a student.” Samoa Observer. (3 July 2018). Retrieved from http://www.samoaobserver.ws/en/03_07_2018/editorial/34652/%E2%80%9CReasonable-force-under-reasonablecircumstance%E2%80%9D-could-kill-a-student.htm. Accessed 9 July 2018. 6 Full list of recommendations of the 2016 SHRR at Appendix C and Full list of recommendations of the 2015 SHRR at Appendix B. 5