CLARIFICATION ON SCHOOL FEE EXEMPTION FOR TC MAILA-AFFECTED STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS

Honiara- 22 June 2026. The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) wishes to correct and clarify the press release issued by the Ministry on 21 June 2026 regarding school fee exemptions for students affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila in Western and Choiseul Provinces.

For the avoidance of doubt, MEHRD confirms that students in affected schools and Early Childhood Education (ECE) centres in Western and Choiseul Provinces who were badly affected by TC Maila will be exempted from paying school and centre fees.

This exemption applies to students who were directly affected by the cyclone and are attending impacted schools or ECE centres in the disaster-affected areas. It is intended to ensure that no affected child is denied access to education because of the financial hardship caused by TC Maila.

MEHRD clarifies that the collection and submission of data by Education Providers, PECOs, EPOs, schools and ECE centres is required for verification, record keeping and implementation purposes. The data collection process should not be interpreted as meaning that the Ministry has not approved the exemption.

The Ministry’s position is clear: affected students in the badly impacted schools and ECE centres in Western and Choiseul Provinces are to be exempted from paying school and centre fees for the approved period. Schools and centres must work with their Education Providers and provincial education authorities to verify affected students and keep proper records of fee exemptions granted.

MEHRD directs all affected schools and ECE centres not to send home, exclude, or deny attendance to any verified student who was directly affected by TC Maila due to non-payment of school or centre fees.

The Ministry acknowledges the hardship faced by families and communities in Western and Choiseul Provinces following the cyclone, including damage to homes, food gardens, water systems, cash crops and other sources of livelihood. The fee exemption is part of MEHRD’s education response to support continued learning and reduce the burden on affected parents and caregivers.

The Ministry regrets any confusion caused by the earlier press release and assures parents, students, schools, Education Providers and the general public that MEHRD remains committed to protecting the right of affected children to continue their education during the recovery period.