Locals across the North Island are bracing for torrential rain and flash flooding as local Amy Fairley and the Warkworth community come together to set up shelter for anyone affected. Video / NZ Herald
Confusion still surrounds the Ministry of Education’s directive for ECEs and if they can open after they confirmed on Tuesday that they may unlock their doors for families in their community that need education and care from today.
Due to the massive amount of rain that hit Auckland on Friday and the following days, causing widespread flooding and slips, all schools in the Auckland region were directed by the Ministry of Education to close until next Tuesday, February 7.
Education secretary Iona Holsted said the National Emergency Management Agency had asked the ministry to take action to help minimise traffic movement on Auckland roads while vital infrastructure is urgently repaired.
“With the possibility of further weather damage leading to more disruption, the secretary for education has directed that schools, kura, early learning services and tertiary organisations in the Auckland region (Wellsford to Pukekohe) to close for physical onsite attendance until Friday, opening after Waitangi weekend.”
In a bulletin posted by Holsted to the Ministry of Education website this afternoon, she confirmed that ECEs can open for families in their community that need education and care if safe to do so.
“I want to be clear that I will review the directive daily based on advice from Auckland Emergency Management (AEM) and the roading situation,” Holsted said.
Another review will be made today and the results posted around midday.
However, the national spokesperson for education Erica Stanford said they could always be open, but the communication of that message was so poor that no one understood that.
“The directive clearly on the Ministry of Education website said that ECEs could remain open for any children who needed to go,” Stanford said.
“Otherwise, they had to close, which indicates really that it’s up to the ECE.
“If they’ve got families who need to have children there for any reason, then they could open.
“Today feels just like a clarification of that confusion that’s been building up over the last 24 hours.”
The confusion that surrounded the message could be blamed on the previous “Covid rules” which stated only children of essential workers could attend in person.
“It’s been a really tough time for parents who are dealing with floods and trying to clear out their homes and trying to get back to work and having to arrange childcare and not knowing what the situation actually is,” Stanford said.
Stanford said it had been a tough time for parents and also ECE owners who were extremely busy and stressed last night and today trying to get in touch with all of their families and explain the situation.
Director at New Shoots Childcare Michelle Pratt said communications seemed to contradict themselves and were infuriating.
She also questioned why ECEs were supposedly required to close, or at least work at a limited capacity, when no other privately owned businesses have been required to do the same.
“The closure was not about tamariki safety,” Pratt said.
“It’s an effort to reduce traffic, so shut the mall or the movies.”
It comes after a backlash from principals at the ministry’s late notice to schools about the closure.
In an email sent to the parents of the Diocesan School for Girls community, principal Heather McRae said staff were “disappointed” to be informed via news reports of the closures.
“We are incredulous that this information is in complete contrast to the information provided to Auckland principals earlier this morning and the closure instruction has not been sent directly to us at school,” the email read.
“We only learned about the order at 3.30pm today via the media. We apologise to all girls and parents for this very late notification.”
Flooding at Diocesan School for Girls in Epsom, Auckland. Photo / Supplied
National leader Christopher Luxon believes the Government has been “absolutely shambolic” in its communication with schools and parents over the decision.
Luxon, speaking from the office of North Shore electorate and National MP Simon Watts in Takapuna, said it was understandable why some must close but referenced others in areas like East Auckland where closure might not be necessary given minimal flood damage.
“I think the communication has been really poor,” Luxon said.
