This blog is from one of COBIS' Supporting Associates.

Pierre de Mirman, Deputy Global CEO at Pacific Prime, discusses the policies and measures schools should consider to address long-term, pandemic-related risks.

While many private and international schools have successfully reopened their campuses, it’s important to remember that the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. Whether it’s the emergence of a new variant or a sudden change in government policy, the school risk landscape has changed dramatically over the past year and a half, and so must the mitigation strategies.

Keeping the virus at bay

Schools are encouraged to update their safety policies to consider the evolving situation. This may include vaccination requirements and mandatory testing (i.e. using an antigen testing kit) for staff and/or students, hand sanitization and temperature checking points on campus, as well as social distancing measures and mask-wearing rules. In addition to this, schools also need to work out how to enforce these rules and what the penalty for non-compliance should be.

There should also be a plan of action in case someone tests positive for COVID-19 on campus. For example, some form of hybrid learning may become the default method of learning - even when staff and students are physically in the classroom, to ensure that students who are quarantining can still attend classes. What's more, schools need to be prepared for any switch back to remote learning if government policies necessitate this.

Preventing data breaches and cyber attacks

School intranet systems and third-party apps facilitate hybrid/remote learning, but have also increased risks of data breaches and cyber attacks. This can be especially damaging when it concerns sensitive student information, and can result in reputational and financial losses for schools. So much so that it pays to train staff on cyber security measures (e.g. using secure wifi networks, strong passwords, etc.) and secure cyber insurance to safeguard against losses.

Prioritising staff and student mental health

Whether it’s the fear of getting the virus, losing a loved one, or even the time spent away from family and friends (particularly relevant for expat teachers and students at private and international schools), mental health has taken a nosedive during the pandemic. As such, ensure that there are school counsellors on hand for students, and that mental health is a component in private health insurance offered to staff.

In fact, many schools are now providing Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to staff, which assists them with personal and/or work-related problems that may impact their job performance, as well as mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Not only does prioritising staff wellbeing help attract the best and brightest staff, but it also ensures that staff are in the position to deliver an enriching and wholesome education to students.

Minimising all other losses that schools can face

Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the nature of school risks, it doesn’t mean that all other risks have disappeared overnight. As private and international schools are more likely to be outfitted with the latest state-of-the-art equipment and technology, such as interactive whiteboards that can easily cost over USD $5,000 per unit, they also need to minimise financial losses in the event their equipment gets damaged or stolen. Machinery breakdown insurance and crime insurance can be considered. 

Similarly, in our increasingly litigious society, staff and directors at schools aren’t sparred from wrongdoings or alleged wrongdoings. As such, don’t rule out potential lawsuits facing your school, which can cause a massive drain on school resources and impact your reputation at the same time. Securing professional indemnity and liability insurance gives you peace of mind that you’re protected.

Dig deeper into school risks and school insurance solutions

We’ve only scratched the surface when it comes to school risks during the COVID-19 pandemic.To learn more about these risks and, more importantly, the types of insurance solutions available to schools to mitigate these risks, we highly recommend COBIS staff, member schools, and fellow supporting associates to get a FREE copy of our School Insurance Guide.

You’re also more than welcome to reach out to me at pierre@pacificprime.com if you have any questions related to school insurance solutions.