Early morning. Over 100 students from Matevulu College walked out of school at 1:00 AM and headed towards Luganville town. The reasons? According to posts circulating on Facebook and confirmed by Santo Daily Updates, students cited:
- Poor food quality (“kakai i nogud”)
- Excessive hard manual labor (“work hard labor i tumas”)
- Overcrowded and poor dormitory conditions
This is not a minor issue. This is a wake-up call.
What the YTS Discussions Reveal
The walkout was discussed in the Yumi Toktok Stret Facebook group, and comments fell into three camps:
Those who sympathize with the students, sharing stories of overcrowded dorms, poor ablution facilities, and calling for the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Sanma Education Office to investigate.
Those who blame “lazy generations,” arguing that in the past, students ate dry manioc, had no pocket money, and never complained.
Those who call for constructive action, urging parents, teachers, administrators, and government to meet, listen, and fix the issues rather than dismissing the students.
One commenter shared:
“Plante samting i change. Yumi no save mekem oli follem semak rules blong 1990. Yumi nid blong adapt.”
Another pointed out:
“Everyone deserves a clean and healthy learning environment.”
What Must We Learn?
- Hardship is not the goal of education.
Yes, older generations walked miles to school and ate dry cassava, but does that mean students today must suffer too? Education is about growth, not just survival. - Student welfare matters.
Hungry, overworked, or poorly housed students cannot focus on learning. School boards and the MOE must take these complaints seriously. - Dialogue, not dismissal.
Labeling students “lazy” does not solve issues. A meeting between parents, teachers, and education officers is needed to find solutions.
What Needs to Happen Now?
- Immediate Assessment: Sanma Education Office and MOE should visit Matevulu to verify conditions, including food quality, workload, and dormitory facilities.
- Community Engagement: Parents should be informed and involved in supporting schools while ensuring accountability for student welfare.
- Long-term Solutions: Invest in improving school facilities and review labor policies in schools to ensure they are age-appropriate and educational, not exploitative.
Final Thought
A student who chooses to walk out of school at 1 AM is sending a desperate message. It is up to us – parents, leaders, educators – to listen, learn, and act.
If Vanuatu wants a generation that values education, we must create conditions where education is valued and safe, not a battleground for basic needs.
Disclaimer: This blog is based on reports from Santo Daily Updates and public discussions in the Yumi Toktok Stret Facebook group. It is intended to encourage constructive dialogue on education and youth welfare in Vanuatu.
Mattdotvu 
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