The Ministry of Education website provides some helpful tips for learning from home, for Pacific families and parents.
With the latest COVID-19 outbreak and move to Alert Level 4, students around the country have been asked to stay home from ECEs, schools and tertiary institutions to slow the potential spread.
This is a familiar scenario for students, who spent part of 2020 learning from home due to lockdowns.
Students, along with their parents, and of course, teachers, have had to adjust to new routines, and online lessons.
While it was all new last year, there are now systems in place, resources and support available for teachers, students and parents.
The Ministry of Education has created an online Info Hub for Pasifika Parents, families and communities to support learning during lockdown, with some content translated into Pacific languages.
Curriculum teaching and learning resources (with guidance for parents) can be found online for English-medium and here for Māori-medium.
Meanwhile, Home Learning TV can be accessed on demand or via the TVNZ App on a device (mobile phone, smart tv or tablet).
Mauri Reo, Mauri Ora can be accessed on demand from Māori TV for primary-aged tamariki and here for secondary school rangatahi.
Healthy Lunches in Schools
Currently, schools need to work with their most vulnerable families to see how they can be best supported while still adhering to the Alert Level 4 restrictions – this includes food deliveries/lunches in schools as the Healthy Lunches in School programme will be suspended.
Due to the much greater risk associated with the Delta variant, no food distribution via schools and kura is currently allowed.
It is important to minimise movement in the community and schools are discouraged from setting up their own food distribution channels.
Schools and kura making their own lunches (internal model) and suppliers are asked to check with your local civil defence and confirm if any lunches already produced can be delivered to community groups through the New Zealand Food Network, or through a community group(s) where an existing relationship is already in place.
Internet Connection
Families/students can call 0800 422 599 (press 5 to go to operator) to request assistance with internet connection.
However, if a site visit is necessary connections will not be able to be progressed under Alert Level 4.