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A road is ripped up in Christchurch after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake - Source: ONE News -
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All schools in Christchurch, Waimakariri, and Selwyn districts will be closed until Wednesday morning to allow engineers to make essential structural checks.
Engineers currently checking city centre buildings will be deployed to schools once the initial work in the city is done. But schools have the option of engaging their own structural engineer to carry out the work more quickly.
It also goes for all early childhood centres in the civil defence emergency zones.
It follows advice from the Chief Medical Officer of Health that all public buildings are to remain closed until Wednesday.
The Secretary for Education, Karen Sewell, said the two days will allow time for a structural assessment of school buildings and grounds - and to see there's adequate water and sanitation.
Mayor Bob Parker said the Ministry of Education is very concerned about children's safety and it is a wise call.
He is unsure whether the closure will be extended.
Authorities predict it will take at least two days to complete the checks.
Many principals and board members have been on site today checking buildings and most are expected to have a superficial clean up done either today or early tomorrow by staff.
The ministry said the first priority was the safety of students and staff.
"Safety is paramount and the time will be used for the ongoing assessments to ensure school buildings are safe and to make sure water and sanitation is clean in school grounds," Sewell said.
The ministry said boards and service providers will need to consider health and safety issues, the condition of their school, centre, and infrastructure, including whether water is available and safe, and also roads and power.
It is regularly updating its website and has established a call centre on 0800 225 580 which will be open today from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
Lincoln University's website says the university will be closed
on Monday September 6 for a health and safety assessment.
Christchurch Polytechnic is closed until further notice. Another
announcement will be made later today.
And Canterbury University will be closed for a week so it can be
assessed for safety. Campus will reopen on Monday September 13.
At this stage, staff should plan not to come to work on Monday 6 September.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentgordy said on 2010-09-09 @ 13:59 NZDT: Report abusive post
Im my 51 years on this earth I have never felt so pertrified..my first thoughts was we had been hit by a nuclear bomb and it was Armageddon. Never ever want to experience it again
schicken said on 2010-09-08 @ 19:15 NZDT: Report abusive post
I thought the same thing initially. However, another quake big enough to close or shift the cracks further is likely to be heard first and all the kids will most likely be fine. If a child does get swallowed up, I'm probably not going to have huge empathy for the media coverage or their parents, but until then, let the region have a little bit of fun. Education about health risks regarding contaminated water may be a good idea for all. :)
thinkaboutit said on 2010-09-06 @ 23:06 NZDT: Report abusive post
More great coverage tonight TVNZ especially highlighting the situation at individual community levels where people reported they felt abandoned. All credit to those organising themselves into community working groups at this level despite this. Arguably the recovery process would be greatly enhanced if these community groups were psychologically and practically supported by establishing official coordination centres at individual community levels.
Madeleine Ware said on 2010-09-06 @ 17:31 NZDT: Report abusive post
You're making some good points here. Perhaps some of the donations could be towards purchasing and setting up storage of these sorts of things. Individuals are also responsible for making their own preparations. I clean and keep old 3L juice bottles filled with water. Every now and then I water my house plants with one and refill it to refresh it.
Madeleine Ware said on 2010-09-06 @ 17:25 NZDT: Report abusive post
Why are they buying water? Aren't there several tankers about the city giving it away?