More than 500 school children studying in North Ambae have been unable to attend classes following heavy volcanic ashfall this week.

There are also reports of two schools in Maewo being affected by the ash.

VBTC News spoke with Penama Education Maintenance Officer Richard Sedack, who conducted a site visit to North Ambae yesterday. He said the area has been heavily affected.

“Everywhere we go, it’s dark. Ashfall is falling down. I told the boys to check the time—it’s 12, and everywhere is dark. When we went to Nangire, it was the same situation, and most schools are closed. Principals are not in school, so there was only one principal at Nangire School at that time.”

Mr. Sedack also described the ashfall as similar to an experience that happened in 2017.

“Down north, the ashfall is worse. It was similar to the recent activity in 2017, starting at North-Northwest.”

Early Childhood Care teacher Leah Shem told VBTC News that they also visited East Ambae, where schools have been heavily affected by the ash.

However, schools are continuing as normal in South Ambae, and masks are being sewn to distribute to the children.

“Those that ashfall keeps falling, sometimes they have half a day of school and go home at lunch. They go home and help parents because not only the school is affected but the home as well, to clean the ashfall. But otherwise, some teachers are scared. But we learnt to calm them from the noise from the volcanoes, those in north and south, to put plans in place.”

Penama Principal Education Officer John Tari said they have held a meeting, and the affected schools may reopen on Monday.