As students and staff prepare for a return to face-to-face learning in public schools next month, the Department of Education is working to ensure that all schools are safe, clean and secure.
Minister for Education, Sarah Mitchell said the Department was carrying out a systematic review of all learning spaces, including libraries and halls, to ensure all schools could operate in the safest way possible.
“We are working with our schools to develop their specific return-to-school plans and implement the relevant on-site restrictions,” Ms Mitchell said.
“While this occurs, we are also making sure each room is suitable for students’ return,” she said.
“The review will focus on ventilation in classrooms and also provide support to schools to adapt lessons to make full use of school facilities, including outdoor learning areas.
“The review will ensure that all windows operate efficiently, allowing natural ventilation and that ceiling fans and air conditioning systems are operating effectively and serviced regularly.”
Ms Mitchell said schools with air conditioning systems were being checked to ensure they were fully operational and the frequency of filter servicing and cleaning of the systems would be increased.
“This is a mammoth task, as we have 2,200 schools in the public system with more than 50,000 learning spaces,” she said.
“Advice and supplies will continue to be provided to principals to support ventilation, personal hygiene, school activities, mask wearing and cleaning to ensure they can operate their school in a COVID-safe way.”
Ms Mitchell said the Department’s review was informed by the expertise of NSW Health and the latest research.
