The Ministry of Education is developing contingency plans for schools involving remote learning as fuel prices continue to climb and impacts begin to emerge across the sector.
Rural schools are already feeling the strain of rising petrol prices, with relievers cancelling due to costly commutes, student attendance dropping, and fears extracurricular activities will be axed.
Education leaders say the Government is yet to provide clear guidance on what contingencies are in place, warning that mistakes made during Covid risk being repeated.
“We need a plan now. We need certainty now,” New Zealand Principals’ Federation executive and Glenbrook School principal Lysandra Stuart said.
Union bosses will meet ministry officials today to discuss what might be required of schools if the fuel crisis escalates and students are forced to learn from home.
Ministry of Education general manager for operational standards and support Helen Hurst said the ministry was “undertaking business continuity planning for a range of scenarios so we can respond quickly to any changes to current settings”.
“Hybrid and distance learning play an essential role in keeping education going during disruptions when students cannot attend school and are one of several options considered in such situations.”
Hurst said the ministry was working with the Government and monitoring the situation closely.
“It is, however, early days, and there is no indication that the current settings will change. Schools continue to operate as normal.”
Over the weekend, petrol hit $4 a litre in some Auckland suburbs, with an average of $3.30 a litre for unleaded 91 and $3.61 a litre for unleaded 98 across the country.
This month, the Government launched the “National Fuel Plan”, with similarities to the Covid alert level system in that it included four levels of escalation to respond to degrees of disruption to fuel supply.
The fewest rules and conditions are at Level 1, while the most severe are at Level 4. New Zealand is currently at Level 1, which primarily involves the Government co-ordinating with industry to limit any potential disruption.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said New Zealanders did not need to “panic” over fuel levels and he reassured people “we don’t have a supply problem”.
Stuart said relievers were already cancelling on rural schools and extra-curricular trips might have to be axed as fuel prices spiral.
“This is not a future risk; it is happening now. The immediate impact is classes being merged, leadership staff stepping into classrooms and increased pressure on teachers and support staff.”
She said attendance was already dropping at some schools, with parents unable to afford to drive children to class.
“The impact of fuel disruption on schools is much broader and more complex than attendance figures suggest; however, attendance will absolutely be affected and is already showing signs of pressure in our communities.”
Stuart said schools would be forced to cancel trips to farms, marae, beaches, museums, environmental programmes, camps and sporting events as costs climb.
“These are not extras, they are a core part of how we deliver a rich, localised curriculum in Aotearoa. Fuel constraints will see these opportunities reduced or cancelled, directly impacting the quality of education and the experiences we provide for our tamariki [children].”
In rural communities like hers, there was no “walkability buffer”, she said.
“Students cannot simply walk, cycle or access public transport. School buses are critical, but many whānau also rely on private vehicles, often travelling long distances and managing multiple drop-offs.”
There was “no strong appetite” to return to remote learning, Stuart said, as the equity challenges highlighted by Covid, such as access to devices and reliable internet, remained inconsistent.
“If the situation escalates, hybrid or partial attendance models may be required.
“However, these will only be effective if they are supported by resourcing, clear guidance and flexibility, particularly around curriculum expectations and reporting.”
Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) president Chris Abercrombie said he had spoken to teachers across Auckland, some of whom travel one hour each day.
Abercrombie said clear information and guidelines were lacking for what the different levels would mean for schools.
“If we are going to move to online learning, what preparations has the Government made? Is there a clear timeframe for this to happen?”
He hoped to have questions answered at today’s meeting with the ministry and education leaders.
Meanwhile, Massey University is also preparing contingency plans. It sent an email to students this week saying it was developing a response plan in the event of escalation to a higher level.
“Our response plan will align with the Government’s escalation framework, which sits under the National Fuel Plan and guides nationwide readiness and response to fuel supply disruptions,” the email said.
“The response plan will detail how the university operates under each level of the escalation framework.
“This could include changes to teaching and learning as well as the operation of our campuses – particularly where the country may move into Level 3."
Education Minister Erica Stanford was approached but directed questions to the ministry.
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