Ministry strict about excursion policy
Schools sending consent forms for parents to sign stating that teachers or the school were not responsible for their children’s welfare during an excursion is wrong.
Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Mahendra Reddy emphasised this at yesterday’s education forum in Nadi, saying the safety and responsibility of children during excursions concerned his ministry.
Mr Reddy said the ministry was specific about excursions which were not encouraged, unless parents or guardians accompanied their children.
“We are telling the heads to take up responsibilities. You cannot ask parents to sign off saying teachers will not take the responsibility,” he said. Mr Reddy made the remarks in response to a participant’s question at the forum which closed yesterday.
According to the ministry’s policies on excursions, the school is required to inform the ministry of any sort of excursion and to ensure that the policies were followed thoroughly.
“So we are minimising excursions unless the parent or someone accompanies the child,” Mr Reddy said.
Ministry curriculum advisory services director, Vimlesh Chand said that the ministry had not made excursions compulsory for any subjects or topics. He added: “We promote excursions as a way to practical experience for students.”
Schools are required to inform the Ministry of Education of any planned excursions before one is undertaken, Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Mahendra Reddy said.