All schools in Tonga will be shut down on Friday, March 27 for two weeks, as a precaution against the COVID-19 pandemic. Tonga currently has no confirmed cases.

The normal school break would start in two-weeks time, and has now been brought forward from April to March

The Minister for Education and Training, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni said this afternoon, this decision was made came after meeting with directors from non-government schools, who agreed for all schools to be shut down in Tongatapu and the outer islands.

He said this would become effective at 1:00pm on March 27 and remain in force to April 14, where schools are expected to resume.

In two weeks time the Ministry will review the situation and decide whether to resume or remain closed, said the Minister.

Due to Tonga being on lock down, the Ministry decided this is a good time for students to remain at home.

There are currently over 100 people in self-isolation, and we would get a better picture of the situation by then, he said.

The Minister said, teachers during this break, would prepare school materials for home schooling via various communication channels such as radio, TV, internet or hard-copies. These materials needed to be ready, if it comes to a time when it is needed.