The American Samoan Governor Togiola Tulafono says the children's education should not be used as a bargaining chip.
His comment comes in response to the effort by the watchdog group Common Cause to organise a strike by teachers if the Fono does not approve a bill to increase teachers' salaries.
The governor says a new funding source must be identified to pay for the salary hikes, something which the bill pending in the Fono does not address.
He says the administration is working on a plan with the Director of Education to restructure teacher's salaries.
He has asked for patience and caution and not to use children's education as a bargaining chip.
