The Education Directorate has released its plan to return all school students to on-campus learning in Term 4.
Minister for Education and Youth Affairs, Yvette Berry said the Directorate’s arrangements included early childhood education and care as well as out of school hours care services.
“The timing of this staged return to school is in line with the ACT’s COVID-19 Pathway Forward,” Ms Berry said.
“It is designed to align with critical community vaccination rates and the pace of the easing of restrictions in other parts of the ACT community and builds on the previous announcement in relation to Years 11 and 12,” she said.
Ms Berry said that from 25 October, preschool and kindergarten students along with students in Years 1, 2, 6, 9 and 10 could return to on-campus learning and their usual out of school hours care programs.
The Minister said children could also return to early childhood education and care services from that date.
“From Monday 1 November (week 5, term 4), Years 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 can return to on-campus learning,” she said.
“Through consultations with over 6,000 students, parents, carers and staff, the Government has heard that a phased return should prioritise students in transition years, as well as younger children.”
Ms Berry said health and safety measures would be in place in schools to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission, including encouraging the vaccination of eligible students, staff and families; mandatory use of the Check In Canberra app for all adults; optimising air ventilation; physical distancing measures for adults; and mandatory mask wearing for staff across and for students in Years 7-12.
“Other measures in place will include limiting the mingling of classes and year groups, staggering breaks, increased use of outdoor spaces, limitation of on-site visitors to essential visitors only, environmental cleaning, and high vigilance around not allowing anyone with symptoms of illness to attend,” she said.
Ms Berry said the scheduled return of Year 12 students to on-campus learning was still set for 5 October and Year 11 students would be able to return from 18 October.
Further information on students’ return to schools can be accessed at this PS News link.
