Alert level 2 rules mean challenges around transport to school

11:22 am on 18 May 2020

With 800,000 pupils heading back to school today amid Covid-19 alert level 2, transport is set to be an issue for many.

Most children have not been to school since 24 March. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

Auckland's Macleans College principal Steve Hargreaves said the school was sending out vans to pick up pupils if they were left behind by public buses full due to physical distancing rules.

It was expected up to 200 pupils could be left stranded.

"That would be the worst case scenario because I have written to parents saying to look for an alternative, but the alternative might be driving their kids to school then we would have chaos outside of school here."

He said sending out vans to pick up students was not a sustainable option.

"If it's a disaster then I will be having to get back in touch with parents saying this is too big to handle and you are going to have to find an alternative."

After school finished for the day, time pressures weren't such an issue, he said.

He expected about 90 percent of pupils to attend today, with the rest possibly not attending due to parent concerns around Covid-19.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins acknowledged that transport to and from schools was challenging given physical distancing rules.

"Schools are working really hard to make sure arrangements are in place, even if it is carpooling for parents, there are a whole lot of things going on to make sure kids can get to school."

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Concerns about return to school

Hipkins expected it will be a few days before pupil numbers are back to normal as parents deal with nervousness about the change out of lockdown.

Most children have not been to school since 24 March.

Schools have to maintain strict hygiene with hand sanitiser in classrooms and contact registers for all school visitors.

"We're expecting most students to go back to school this week although I do acknowledge it may take a few days for numbers to build up again ... and there will be a bit of nervousness out there and it will take a couple of days for parents to get their confidence," Hipkins said.

While a lot of work had been put into resources for learning from home, it would be better for pupils to be back learning at school, he said.

"I think there will be some kids who haven't been able to do as much learning from home as some kids have been able to do and I think schools will be very attuned to that and ready to respond to that.

"I appreciate that puts a bit more pressure on schools as well. Kids who are early in their learning will be able to catch up, it won't have a lasting impact ... for kids who are older, studying for NCEA, schools will be making sure they have the opportunity to catch up as quickly as possible because the stakes are a bit higher for them."

Hipkins said some form of learning material had been provided for all students in the country.

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