The reopening of schools in Fiji yesterday was done on the advice of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organisation (WHO), says the Ministry of Education.

The ministry states that schools are an important time for children’s learning and development and, even during the pandemic, it is possible to attend school safely.

“UNICEF and WHO have advised our ministry and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services that it is safe to reopen schools because the latest evidence shows that schools do not drive the spread of COVID-19 in the community,” the ministry stated.

The ministry stated that as long as COVID-safe measures were followed in schools, children were actually more at risk of getting COVID in the community than they were in schools.

“As schools reopen for Fijian children, the ministry will continue to work closely with UNICEF and WHO to ensure that children are safe and provided with supportive learning environments.”