The Department of Education has introduced a range of proactive measures aimed at limiting the impact of COVID-19, with students required to adopt ‘social distancing’ as part of the infection control plan.
Secretary of the Department of Education, Mark Scott said the new measures would require schools to cancel assemblies, excursions, travel, some events and conferences.
“The community expects schools to be as safe as possible,” Mr Scott said.
“We are implementing these measures to provide peace of mind for students, parents and staff,” he said.
“These cancellations also extend to inter-school arts, sports, initiative activities and events.”
Mr Scott said the measures were precautionary and designed to reduce exposure via non-essential gatherings.
He said the Department had contingencies in place to deliver distance learning options using existing platforms and strategies for students that needed to learn from home.
“Our remote strategies are designed to enhance connections during these challenging times and ensure continued access to quality education,” he said.
He said the Department had also developed a range of resources to support parents with children learning from home to plan and monitor their child’s progress.
Ms Scott said the best way to for people to protect themselves from COVID-19 was the same as from catching the flu or other respiratory illnesses: regularly wash hands; adopt cough etiquette; avoid close contact with people who were ill; and stay home when sick.
“The Department is continuing to prepare for further closures if necessary with scaling up of technology, additional training of staff and preparation of offsite lessons,” Mr Scott said.
