Schools in Western Province to Use Tents as Temporary Classrooms After Cyclone Maila

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Schools affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila in Western Province will use tents as temporary classrooms as recovery efforts continue, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) says.

In a statement released today, MEHRD confirmed that a request for 28 tents has been made to UNICEF, which has agreed to supply them for use as temporary learning spaces.

The update, based on SITREP #5, outlines ongoing efforts to restore education services in affected areas.

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All weather warnings for Western and Choiseul provinces have now been lifted, with assessment teams deployed to schools to collect information on damages.

MEHRD also confirmed that the first shipment of curriculum materials has already left Honiara for 17 schools in Western Province. The supplies were shipped on April 21 aboard the vessel MV Airi.

Plans are also underway for MEHRD engineers to travel to affected schools to assess structural damage and guide rebuilding efforts.

Meanwhile, Save the Children and UNICEF are working in collaboration with MEHRD to provide child-friendly spaces, psychosocial support, and WASH supplies, including soap and water filters, to impacted schools.

MEHRD says progress is being made in supporting schools across Western and Choiseul provinces, with efforts focused on restoring classrooms, dormitories, and early childhood facilities.

Deputy Secretary and National Disaster Operations Committee (NDOC) Education Chair, Christopher Sakiri, stressed the importance of a comprehensive recovery approach.

“For schools to resume effectively, we must go beyond repairing classrooms. Students and teachers need safe spaces, clean water, health services, and psychosocial support to recover and continue learning,” he said.