The Department of Education has announced that almost 477,000 students are to return to classrooms at public and non-Government schools next week (31 January) as part of its Safe Return to School Plan.
Announcing the move, the Department said all 900 public education facilities had been inspected to check the ventilation of every classroom.
It said the Safe Return to School Plan included a number of measures, such as the provision of 12,000 air purifiers; CO2 monitors; and enhanced cleaning services.
The Department also said masks would be worn by school staff and secondary students; staff and regular visitors must be double-dose vaccinated, and receive a third dose within one month of becoming eligible; and hand sanitiser and face masks had been made available to schools.
“Schools and education systems have contingency plans in place to minimise disruption to student learning, including hardcopy learning packages, access to online learning resources and arrangements to temporarily replace teachers and other school staff who are required to isolate due to COVID-19,” it said.
“Significant work has been undertaken to deliver a teacher in front of every classroom as the school year progresses, including using a flying squad of teachers, having a significant pool of more than 5,000 fully-vaccinated casual teachers, outreach to retired teachers and having vaccinated support staff on standby.”
Minister for Education and Training, Sue Ellery said keeping schools open was important to children’s learning, social and emotional development, wellbeing, physical and mental health.
“Teachers and school staff have responded well to the mandatory vaccination requirements and I’m pleased we are on track to open schools next week,” Ms Ellery said.
“This year will no doubt present challenges, but I want to reassure parents that we have been working hard over the summer break to prepare our classrooms for the new school year,” she said.
