ENB schools suspended next week after heavy rain damage

Watson Primary School had the roof of one of its classrooms damaged by the strong wind and heavy rain (FB: Melchior Kunat)

Classes across East New Britain Province will be suspended next week following heavy rain linked to Tropical Cyclone Maila.

The East New Britain provincial education board said schools will not operate from Monday, April 13 to Friday, April 17, 2026.

The decision comes after days of heavy and prolonged rainfall that caused damage to roads, power poles, water lines, buildings, food gardens and cash crops across the province.

Authorities say some of the worst affected areas include Rabaul, Kokopo and parts of the Gazelle District.

The rainfall, associated with Tropical Cyclone Maila in the Solomon Sea, is expected to continue over the next few days, raising concerns about safety and accessibility for students and teachers.

A classroom at Watom Primary School (FB: Melchior Kunat)

The provincial education board said the province has already started response activities, but ongoing rain could continue to disrupt normal daily activities.

The suspension will cover the first week of term two, with students, teachers and parents advised to take note and await further updates from the ENB provincial education board.