In light of the Fiji Meteorology Department’s cyclone warning this morning, the Education Ministry requests Head Teachers, Principals, teachers and school managements to make urgent preparations to secure school buildings and facilities for the protection of everyone in the school, especially our students.
The 11 cyclones predicted by the Meteorology Department for the 2009 – 2010 season should not be taken lightly.
In this regard, the Ministry would appreciate regular practical sessions in safety precautionary measures, heightened Geography lessons in learning the signs of disasters and dissemination of charts, posters and pamphlets on disaster awareness.
A disaster management plan should be in place and everyone in the school system should be aware of this.
Schools are reminded of the tragic tsunamis in Samoa and Indonesia as such catastrophic events teach us to be on the lookout for impending natural disasters.
As a matter of life and death, our concerted effort in taking pro-active measures to build a culture of safety and resilience to natural disasters would be greatly appreciated.
Filipe Bole
Minister for Education, National Heritage, Culture and Arts, Youth and Sports, Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment.