Access to schools requires careful regulation to ensure children are protected and learning and teaching time is not interrupted.

To this end, the Ministry has released interim procedures to regulate the entry of visitors to schools. These procedures came into effect on 4 September 2019. You can access the procedures and all relevant forms.

Please note that Tourists wishing to visit schools must comply with the requirements of Circular 79 of 2018.

Volunteers must follow the interim volunteers’ procedures

The Ministry takes child protection seriously.

Accordingly, visits with or access to Students by non-MoE Staff, parents or guardians must be consented to by the Head of School, the parents/guardians of the student, and the student (where old enough to consent). Written consent must also be obtained for any photography, filming or recording of students.

Consent must be obtained for every visit/instance of photography/filming/recording.

Heads of School should use this form to obtain consent.

Visitors should not organise this consent themselves.

Parents and guardians may decline their permission as can students themselves.

Any instance where consent has not been obtained will be investigated, and information passed onto relevant child protection authorities.

Restrictions on photography, filming and recording

• Assess and comply with local traditions or restrictions regarding the reproduction of images.
• Explain how the photograph, recording or film will be used. In keeping with the rights of the child, where the child is of an age to understand the use of photograph, recording or film their permission (along with their parent or guardian) must be obtained to utilize the photographs for marketing.
• Ensure photographs, films, videos, DVDs and recordings present children in a dignified and respectful manner and not in a vulnerable or submissive manner.
• Ensure that in photographs or videos the people including children are adequately clothed and are not presented in poses that could be seen as sexually suggestive or otherwise sexually vulnerable. Naked or semi naked photos may not be used of either adults or children.
• Pictures, images, or other likenesses of children and/or information related to children that could compromise their care and protection will not be made available through any form of communication media without proper protection and understanding of their use.
• Images should not be used to promote a marketing agenda which is not endorsed (by written approval) by the parents/guardians
• Moreover, any images of children should not be accompanied by detailed information relating to their place of residence.  Images with corresponding text which may identify a child should be removed.
• Vulnerable or at risk children who do not have a Parent or Guardian are not to be photographed without the written permission of the Director of Social Welfare, Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation.
• Where possible, try to avoid taking photographs or film of children’s faces (if they are not with their parent or guardian), rather, take photos or film from behind the child, or at the side in profile, or set the scene so the children cannot be easily identified (e.g.  focus the lens on the main objective and blur the edges where the children are gathered around).
• Images, film or recordings should be destroyed or removed from public circulation in any means if requested by the student, parent, guardian, Head of School or Ministry representative.