School Closures Following Canterbury Earthquake

School Closures Following Canterbury Earthquake

Sunday 5th September 2010

Schools and early childhood centres in Christchurch, Waimakariri, and Selwyn districts will be closed until Wednesday in response to the earthquake.

This follows the Chief Medical Officer of Health advising all public buildings are to remain closed until Wednesday.

The Ministry of Education says this means closure of all schools and early childhood centres in the Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri districts – the areas covered by the civil defence emergency zone.

The Secretary for Education, Karen Sewell, says these school closures are advisable in the best interests of safety and continued assessment of school property.

“This allows more time for structural assessment of school buildings and grounds.”

“Safety is paramount and the time will be used for the ongoing assessments to ensure school buildings are safe and to make sure water and sanitation is clean in school grounds,” says Karen Sewell.

School boards and ECE service providers/licensees in other areas can make the decision to close individual schools or services.

“It may be than other schools and boards decide to remain closed initially until they are satisfied that structures and sanitation are safe.” says Karen Sewell.

The Ministry of Education is continuing to provide a range of responses.

An emergency call centre opened this morning to give principals and boards ongoing advice on what actions to take: The number is 0800225580

The Ministry’s website has also been operating today with comprehensive information and updates at:

www.minedu.govt.nz/CanterburyEarthquake

The Ministry of Education will provide further updates tomorrow.

ENDS