Ministry of Education update on ventilation in schools

While there is no substitute for fresh air, there may be some areas within some schools that may benefit from the use of air cleaners to support air quality. The Ministry has placed an initial order for portable air cleaners, the first of which are arriving in New Zealand before the end of February. The priority will be distributing these to targeted spaces within schools who have been unable to improve ventilation by other means. 

The Ministry will be going out to tender to identify preferred suppliers for any further needs for portable air cleaners. Terms of these contracts with suppliers will be made available to early childhood education, schools and tertiary institutions who may wish purchase these products directly. In the meantime, specifications/performance requirements will be available on the Ministry website for the benefit of schools. Contract arrangements are expected to be in place in March 2022.

Please contact your property advisor if you have concerns about ventilation you have been unable to address using the Ministry’s guidance. You can also check the Ministry’s website for further information about ventilation in schools and the ventilation strategy for New Zealand schools, or can contact the ventilation programme team directly via ventilation.mailbox@education.govt.nz