Schools information

Although the first wave of the swine flu pandemic seems to be behind us, there may still be cases of infection. If you have any questions, they might be answered below or use our online form.

If your question isn't answered here, contact one of these organisations.

• Ministry of Education regional and local office staff
• Education Helpline 0800 225 580
• New Zealand School Trustees Association Helpdesk 0800 STAHELP (0800 782 435) Fax (04) 473 4706 helpdesk@nzsta.org.nz
• For medical advice HEALTHLINE 0800 611 116 or visit the Ministry of Health pandemic website.

Schools with international students

Use this information with:

• current pandemic advice provided by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health
• the Pandemic planning guide
• the Pandemic action plan
• the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students.

The related downloads section below includes:

• Information for principals to help them understand their responsibilities for international students during a pandemic.
• Information for the designated person/unit pastoral care (DPC) - those responsible for the pastoral care of international students during a pandemic
• Information for designated person/unit accommodation (DPA) - those responsible for accommodation of international students during a pandemic. Schools are required to designate a person or unit for this role, whether the school arranges accommodation or not.
• Information for international students outlines key information to international students. It can be tailored by schools to suit their requirements. It should be given to international students at the same time that information is given to domestic students.
• Information for parents of international students to explain the plans a provider has in place to care for international students in the event of a pandemic.

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Manage it - school operations

Information that is specific to schools.

1. Who do schools contact if they have concerns about managing within their existing relieving budgets?
   The Ministry recognises relieving budgets will come under pressure for some schools. In general, schools are expected to manage by reprioritising their spending within existing budgets. If schools consider they have suffered a very significant impact then they should contact the Ministry's regional financial adviser for their area. Schools may also seek advice from NZSTA.
2. Can I stop students from coming to school if I think they may be sick?
   Yes, section 19 of the Education Act 1989 provides that a principal may formally preclude a student who may have a communicable disease (such as Influenza A H1N1). In such a case the principal is obliged to inform the district medical officer of health. If a student is ill with flu symptoms then they should stay home until they are well.
3. Students and staff are generally asked to provide a medical certificate to cover absences of more than a few days. Should we still require this?
   Use your judgement, but we would recommend you waive these requirements while the current pandemic persists. People should not visit the doctor for a medical certificate. If necessary, they should telephone first. In the current circumstances, it’s not the best use of health authorities’ time to respond to requests from staff or students for such documentation.
4. If I think a staff member may be sick can I require them to stay home?
   School management would need to take professional advice regarding their obligations as an employer. In practice, schools would generally proceed subject to advice received from the district medical officer of health.

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School closures

These questions are about when you’re deciding whether to close the school or service because of low staff or student numbers.

1. Are there minimum staff/student ratios which need to be considered if a board of trustees has a number of staff sick and school closure is an option?
   There are no prescribed minimum staff/student ratios. A decision about the minimum number of staff required to operate a school is up to each individual board. This will be dependent on the extent of the outbreak at the school and other factors, such as the number of relieving teachers available locally.
   [Added: 18 June 2009]
2. What are the steps that boards need to work through if a critical number of staff are away sick making school closure an option?
   There are no prescribed steps to work through. A board may close the school due to an emergency situation under section 65E of the Education Act 1989. If a critical number of staff are sick and it’s affecting the school’s operation and student safety, then closure must be considered. Discuss it with your local Ministry of Education office. The final decision by the board will depend on local factors such as the availability of relieving staff. The prime consideration is the safety of all students and staff.
   [Added: 18 June 2009]
3. Do staff have to provide lessons to students when a school is closed?
   Schools should make their best endeavours to support students to continue learning at home. Many schools already have plans in place, but it will not always be possible.
4. Will a school which closes be required to make up the half days lost as a result?
   The Secretary has a statutory discretion to reduce the number of half days for which a school would otherwise be required to be open for instruction, in circumstances where the school has closed under section 65E of the Education Act, due to an epidemic or a health emergency. Applications should be made to the Secretary.

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School trips

1. Should we stop our sports trip to another region?
   The Ministry of Health is not advising people to cancel social gatherings, sports events and travel. However, there are practical steps that individuals and communities can take to reduce the community spread of the virus. These steps include practising good hand hygiene and covering coughs and sneezes. If you are sick, stay home until you have fully recovered as you can easily spread the germs to others.
2. Should my school be cancelling trips to affected areas overseas?
   At this time the Ministry of Health is not recommending cancelling or postponing overseas travel during the upcoming school holidays. Please follow the advice on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) website safe travel website www.safetravel.govt.nz/.
   
   You should also check the terms and conditions of your travel insurance regarding cancellations or postponement of travel as a result of an influenza pandemic.
3. We have a school holiday programme planned. Should we cancel it or go ahead?
   Health advice is to continue with any planned activities but take extra precautions. If students or teachers are unwell they should stay at home. Put good hygiene practices in place. If anyone has flu-like symptoms, send them home to avoid putting others at risk – especially those with other health issues eg respiratory illness.

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Staff leave and pay

These questions and answers relate to the current situation and boards should refer to State Services Commission Guidelines and the relevant collective agreement.

1. Will staff be paid if they stay at school or work from home when the school is closed to students?
   Yes.
2. Will staff get paid leave if the school is closed to everybody?
   Staff, including support staff, will continue on normal pay if they are prevented from working (either at school or at home) by a school closure. If possible, staff should do work that can be completed at home during the closure.
3. If a staff member returns from an affected area and voluntarily stays at home with the school's agreement, do they get paid?
   The usual sick leave procedures will apply, and sick leave can be advanced if the staff member has no sick leave.
4. When would disregarded sick leave for teachers apply?
   Eligible teachers may apply for disregarded sick leave under the relevant collective agreement. This will apply in either of two circumstances:
   • If a teacher contracts H1N1 and the disease can be directly traced to their conditions or circumstances of work, that teacher may be eligible to apply for disregarded sick leave.
   • If the Secretary for Education considers there to be an epidemic, eligible teachers at home suffering from H1N1, or quarantined under the Health (Infectious and Notifiable Diseases) Regulations because they’ve had contact with H1N1, may qualify to have their sick leave disregarded. The Secretary will take advice from the Ministry of Health on the question of an epidemic.
   If you meet either of these conditions, apply to the Industrial Relations Unit, Ministry of Education, Wellington.

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   Transport

   1. What happens to bus (or taxi) timetables when a school is closed due to Swine Flu infection?
      If a school is closed the timetables and any other issues would become contractual ones and should be covered in the contract with the service provider.

   2. If a school is suddenly closed due to large number of staff or students being absent, do our vehicles come in immediately and evacuate all the students from the school any time of the day?
      The board of trustees would make the decision to close a school. Schools will most likely be closed at the normal time at the end of the day. For school transport operators, the closure of a school and any related timetable issues will be governed by their contract with the Ministry or with the school board.

   3. Do the drivers and their vehicles get quarantined if infected students could have travelled on the bus?
      The service provider should seek advice from the Ministry of Health (Health line 0800 611 116) or their local medical officer of health, for information on precautions to take both for their drivers and any cleaning of their vehicles. If the vehicles are used for general public transportation it is likely that the companies have already prepared pandemic response plans as part of their health and safety process.

   4. If a school is closed for a significant time, is this recorded as the school being open for instruction or is it recorded as being closed? Will the days the school is closed be required to be made up at a later date during the year?
      The Secretary for Education has a statutory discretion to reduce the number of half days for which a school would otherwise be required to be open for instruction in circumstances where the school has closed under section 65E of the Education Act, due to an epidemic or a health emergency. Applications would need to be made to the Secretary for consideration.
   5. How will providers get paid if a school is closed?
      The school transport contracts confirm payment arrangements. The Ministry will comply with the information relayed in the various school transport contracts. If you have a specific query please contact the relevant school transport service agent.

   If your question isn't answered here, contact one of these organisations.

   • Ministry of Education regional and local office staff
   • Education Helpline 0800 225 580
   • New Zealand School Trustees Association Helpdesk 0800 STAHELP (0800 782 435) Fax (04) 473 4706 helpdesk@nzsta.org.nz
   • For medical advice HEALTHLINE 0800 611 116 or visit the Ministry of Health pandemic website.
5. What will the pay and leave arrangements be for school employees in a pandemic?
   State Sector employees will be expected to use their leave entitlements (sick, annual or other, with ability to anticipate some sick leave) if they are sick or looking after sick dependents during a pandemic.
   When sick leave entitlements and advances are exhausted, State Sector employers may provide additional paid special leave if it will help prevent the arrival or spread of a pandemic. For information about using leave during a pandemic, see the State Services Commission www.ssc.govt.nz.
   The provisions of the relevant collective agreements apply.
6. Will the Ministry fund relievers employed by schools when teachers are recovering from the disease or in isolation because of the disease?
   The normal rules as set out in the Funding Staffing and Allowances handbook will apply.