Schools around the country will be given help to make sure students can still learn at home under lockdown, when term two officially starts on April 15.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins says while the plan is still for a four-week lockdown, schools must be prepared for any scenario.

That requires the means and resources to study properly home, he says.

"We're moving so that all families will have at least one education delivery option available to them when term two starts.

"The ministry has surveyed schools and about half say they are well set up currently for distance learning using the internet. But we are taking action to support new connections and resources for students at all schools."

From this week a package targeting four areas will be rolled out:

• Increasing the number of students who have internet access and devices.
• Delivering hard copy packs of materials for different year levels.
• Funding two television channels to broadcast education-related content - one for English medium and one for Māori medium, including content that is targeted to Pacific and other communities.
• More online resources for parents, available through the Learning from Home and Ki te Ao Mārama websites, and fast-tracking ways to connect Learning Support Coordinators with families remotely.

Schools will also get more support to to assist schools to set up and make the best use of distance learning, and teachers and leaders will get access to more professional learning and development (PLD) to support them to work remotely with their students.

• If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 (+64 9 358 5453 for international SIMs) or call your GP - don't show up at a medical centre

-RNZ