The trial has been set up in case there is an imminent school closure should CoVid-19 reach Tonga.

All teaching materials and lessons will be delivered using a variety of platforms including internet, radio, TV and paper based distance education, as well as blended (using more than one platform).

Minister for Education Hon Siaosi Sovaleni said the trial is to see if students can follow the learning instructions using the various modes of delivery, and to see what needs improvement.

“One of the aims is to use the feedback from this trial to improve how students learn from home.”

He said in the event of the school closure because of CoViD-19, the Ministry was prepared for students to coninue learning from home.

Students had been issued with a timetable of learning guides and instructions for the day and the Ministry requested that at least one parent or guardian be at home to overlook and administer the trial program and ensure students followed their school work.

Students can view their lessons at the website www.metonlinelearning.gov.to [2].

The Minister said the home school website for students is free to use.

“With this website, you won’t be charged. We have already made an agreement with Digicel and TCC.”

“The main test tomorrow for the website, is to see if the internet can handle the large amount of people that will be online.”

Students who don’t have access to the internet will have their lessons delivered via the radio, TV or paper based learning. (Students and parents who have questions about the lessons etc, can call 0800-256.)

“The home school will start from 9:00am to 3.30pm tomorrow.”

He said the website could also be accessed by non-government school students.

Students and parents or guardians are urged to provide feedback after the home school trial, to help the Ministry make improvements to the delivery.