Education Ministry Issues Guidance for School Farms Amid Hot, Dry Conditions

The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information is urging schools that offer agricultural science to implement measures to protect students, staff, crops and livestock from the current drought conditions and extreme heat.

In a bulletin issued to school administrators, the Ministry stated that the prolonged dry conditions and elevated temperatures are having a significant impact on agricultural activities carried out on school farms and cultivation plots, while also increasing health and safety risks for students engaged in practical agricultural exercises.

Schools are being advised to comply with applicable water-use regulations and adopt efficient water-management practices.

These include utilising drip irrigation systems where feasible, scheduling irrigation activities during the cooler periods of the day to minimise evaporation, applying mulch to conserve soil moisture, maintaining adequate water-storage facilities and prioritising available water supplies for livestock, seedlings and vulnerable crops.

Schools are encouraged to collect and safely store rainwater for appropriate agricultural use whenever possible.

In relation to crop management, agricultural science teachers are being encouraged to regularly inspect plants for signs of environmental stress, including wilting, scorching, pest infestations and disease.

The Ministry further recommends the use of temporary shade for vulnerable crops and seedlings where necessary and advises that any anti-stress treatments be administered only in accordance with professional recommendations. Teachers should also adjust planting schedules, irrigation practices and other farming activities to reflect prevailing weather conditions.

Special attention should also be placed on poultry and livestock. Schools are being reminded to ensure that animals have uninterrupted access to clean, fresh, drinking water and that supplies are checked regularly, particularly during extended periods of extreme heat.

Animal housing areas should be kept clean, adequately shaded and properly ventilated, and overcrowding avoided. Animals should be monitored closely for signs of heat stress and illness and veterinary guidance sought whenever concerns arise. Protecting the health and safety of students remains a priority.

Schools are, therefore, encouraged to limit students’ exposure to direct sunlight, especially during the hottest hours of the day, and to schedule practical agricultural activities during cooler periods wherever possible.

Adequate supplies of drinking water, access to shaded areas and regular hydration breaks should be provided. Students should also be encouraged to wear hats and appropriate protective clothing while participating in outdoor activities.

Teachers and school personnel are being urged to remain vigilant for signs of heat-related illness among students, including dizziness, headaches, weakness, excessive sweating, nausea and fainting. Any student displaying symptoms of heat stress or overexposure should be referred promptly to the school nurse, and emergency medical assistance should be sought when necessary. The Ministry is also recommending that schools maintain a simple Drought and Extreme Heat Response Plan outlining procedures related to water availability, irrigation, livestock care, crop protection, student safety and the modification or suspension of practical activities when conditions become unsafe.

Educators are being encouraged to use the current conditions as valuable teaching opportunities to reinforce lessons on water conservation, climate-smart agriculture, environmental stewardship, animal welfare and strategies for adapting to climate change.