The Minister for Education, Dan Tehan has praised the education sector for its efforts to minimise the impact of novel coronavirus on its student population.
Mr Tehan said he was impressed with the sector following the latest round of updates from the Departments of Education, Home Affairs, Border Security and the Chief Medical Officer’s Office to 38 university vice chancellors.
“The safety of Australians is our Government’s number one priority,” Mr Tehan said.
“We are also focussed on minimising the impact of the virus on our international students and ensuring they have options to continue their education,” he said.
“We all want things to return to normal as soon as possible and until then we are all working on solutions that will minimise the impact of the virus on Australia and all our students.”
He said discussions had been held with the Chinese embassy regarding options to help students affected by travel restrictions to continue their studies.
“Requirements to support distance learning options are being refined through consultation,” Mr Tehan said.
He said website access and English online services were being considered.
The Minister said regular updates for students and the education sector were available on the Department of Education’s webssite with a dedicated email address [email protected] and hotline on 1300 981 621.”