Education Media Release 1

Education Media Release: COVID-19
Background
• MEHRD has been working under the National Disaster Operations Committee (NDOC) arrangement as per 2018 National Disaster Management plan to prepare and respond to the possible impacts of the COVID-19 to the Education sector

• MEHRD understands that the spread of the COVID-19 in the Solomon Islands will have dire consequences for the education sector. Schools and tertiary institutions will be a perfect place where the virus, if present will be easily spread due to daily and frequent contacts by staff and students and the community.

• It is of significant importance that the risk of the virus being spread within schools and tertiary institutions throughout the country are addressed at the earliest.

• MEHRD hereby advises that all Education Authorities, teachers, students and parents take heed of all the advice about COVID-19 from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

• MEHRD strongly recommends that all Education Authorities, teachers, students and parents refrain from disseminating information about the COVID-19 that does not come officially from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

MEHRD’s official position in terms of mitigating and responding to the possible spread of COVID-19 are as follows:
I. Upon official confirmation of the first confirmed case of the COVID-19 by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the Permanent Secretary of MEHRD will issue notice of an indefinite closure of all schools and centres in Honiara and Guadalcanal.
II. Based on further advice from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the Permanent Secretary of MEHRD will issue further notice to close all schools and centres throughout the country.
III. MEHRD will advise all Education Authorities to prepare contingency plans appropriate to each of their schools’ and centres’ contexts. MEHRD N-DOC and the P-DOCs will provide support if required.
IV. All Education authorities of boarding schools to ensure students reach their parents and guardians safely.
V. MEHRD hereby advises all Education Authorities to ensure their teachers prepare and provide supplementary learning materials in advance. This is to ensure students are occupied in covering required topics whilst they remain at home.

VI. Principals, head teachers and ECE Supervisors to ensure schools facilities are well secured and curriculum materials are stored where they are safe from flooding and strong winds.
VII. MEHRD through its appropriate powers will amend approved 2020 academic calendar.