THERE is no media ban on schools competing in the Vodafone Super Deans Championship, the Ministry of Education has clarified.
Deputy Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education Timoci Bure clarified that schools were free to speak to the media about their rugby teams — but not during official teaching and learning hours.
Bure said the ministry’s policy had been misunderstood by schools, resulting in media organisations being told they needed ministry approval before interviewing teams and school officials.
“That is wrong,” Bure said.
He said the restriction applied only to official working hours.
Primary schools operate from 8am to 2.30pm, while secondary schools operate from 8am to 3.30pm. Outside those hours, schools can speak directly to the media about their sporting teams without seeking approval from the ministry.
“They can attend the interview any time after working hours. That is a sports team. They should explain everything about their sports team,” Bure said.
The clarification comes as the Super Deans Championship enters its decisive stage, with schools across the country preparing for the biggest matches of the season.
Bure said the ministry had no reason to control information about individual school teams.
“The school team — nobody knows anything about the school team. Only them.”
He said the only matters schools could not comment on were Ministry of Education decisions, policies or directives. T
hose questions must be referred to the ministry.
But team selections, preparations, performances and other matters concerning a school’s sporting program can be discussed directly with the media.
The clarification follows concerns raised by media organisations after several schools said interviews and visits had to be vetted by the ministry.
Bure said that was a misunderstanding of the policy and indicated the ministry would address the issue with schools.
For the hundreds of students involved in the Super Deans Championship — and the schools using the competition to showcase their young talent — the message is clear: The ministry has not shut the door on the media.
