schools

 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. New Zealand representatives visited the Kingdom of Tonga on 16 February, to discuss a collaboration with the Tongan Ministry of Education with the aim of promoting technology and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, The Arts and Mathematics) subjects in Tongan secondary schools.

Samsung New Zealand representatives met with Isikeli Oko (Acting CEO of Ministry of Education), to outline and present Samsung’s global programme, Solve for Tomorrow, which will be tailored for Tongan youths.

Prime Minister, Hu’akavameiliku confirmed the reopening of classrooms at a press conference Wednesday.

He said Cabinet agreed yesterday for all schools – primary schools and early childhood – return to school from next week, following advice from the Ministry of Health.

“We already have students in secondary and high schools who had returned to classroom education in the last few weeks and we have seen the Covid test results which is very encouraging to us.”

The Government also confirmed that the colour status will remain at Orange for the next two weeks.

The curfew has also eased from midnight to 5am as Covid-19 cases in the Kingdom continue to drop.

Minister of Health Saia Piukala says positive cases over the past three weeks were less than 100 per day.

Students from forms 2, 5, 6 and 7 got the green light to return to school two weeks ago.

Only students in kindergarten and primary schools up to class 6 will remain at home and continue with home schooling programmes implemented by the Ministry of Education.

Children aged 5 to 12 have been at home since April last year while Year 12 and 13 students returned to classes in November.

Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said the coronavirus is now endemic to Fiji and community transmission will lead to the same in schools.

The Ministry of Education said Chinese President Xi Jinping's "thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era" would be taught from primary school level all the way to university.

The move is aimed at strengthening "resolve to listen to and follow the Party" and new teaching materials must "cultivate patriotic feelings", the guidelines said.

Since coming to power in 2012, the Chinese President has sought to strengthen the ruling Chinese Communist Party's role in all areas of society, including its businesses, schools and cultural institutions.

The Solomon Star reported the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Education, Franco Rodie issued the directive, as part of the country's Covid-19 response strategy.

Dr Rodie said the mass repatriation of people from the capital to their home provinces following the declaration of a State of Public Emergency last week was causing anxiety and confusion for schools and education authorities.

Because of this Dr Rodie ordered all schools to close with a tentative return date set for the 27th of April.

The stakeholders met this week and discussed the global spread of coronavirus and the likelihood of Tongan people getting infected due to mass gathering.

A statement said the meeting agreed to postpone the 2020 Secondary Schools’ Intercollege Sports, which was planned to be held 21-24 April until after the National Examinations in November.

Starting Monday, 23 March all Government schools will add an extra hour to their timetable per day, finishing at 4:30pm instead of 3:30pm.

The lack of progress, which has left a number of schools still using tents as classrooms 17 months after the cyclone, has been drawing criticism in recent weeks.

The government has rejected the accusations and its spokesperson, Lopeti Senituli, says the government has had no control over the hold up, but it has been assured repairs to the schools will start soon.

In December a two month old child from New Zealand was admitted to LBJ Hospital with symptoms of the disease.

The Department of Health is driving a campaign to promote immunisation after recent cases were recorded in the Northland region of New Zealand

Medical Director Joseph Tufa said parents should make sure their children are protected from the potentially deadly disease.

The department has asked parents to provide proof that their children have received the meningococcal vaccine and booster shot.

There are consultations at all levels amongst Government and stakeholders to ensure everyone plays their part for a safer and more secure online experience for all. 

With that in mind, Digicel Tonga Ltd in partnership with Talitha Project is inviting all schools in Tongatapu to participate in an awareness competition this month. 

The main objective is to ‘stop cyber bullying’ and create an awareness amongst the community with the focus to educate children about a safer online experience.