One in three SA students expected for Term 2 start
About a third of SA students are expected to head back to school next term but there are fears dangers could grow if low coronavirus infection rates inspire higher attendance.
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At least 30 per cent of the state’s public school students are expected to return to classrooms for Term 2 this month.
Parents say that figure is likely to rise if numbers of new coronavirus infections stay low, while the teachers’ union says some schools are already expecting up to 80 per cent attendance.
Schools surveyed parents before Term 1 finished early, to assess demand for attendance versus online learning at home when Term 2 begins on April 27.
At the survey time, SA was recording 30-plus new cases a day.
In recent days there have been no more than two.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison today pleaded with schools around the country to stay open, to ensure vulnerable children are cared for and so parents don’t have to give up their jobs to look after children at home.
That message was most applicable to the eastern states, where state governments have said only children of essential workers and the most vulnerable should be at school.
Attendance in NSW has been as low as 5 per cent. The SA Government has consistently said no child will be turned away from schools. At the end of last term, SA public school attendance was 34 per cent.
David Knuckey, the director of parent group the SA Association of State School Organisations, said attendance rates would depend on “the information parents receive from our leaders about the virus”.
“It was fear for the health of their family that motivated parents to keep their children home from school,” he said.
“It stands to reason then, that if infections stay low and medical experts and the Government tell us we are able to begin to return to normal life, that parents would be keen to have their children return to school.”
He praised the department and schools for their communication with parents.
Australian Education Union SA president Lara Golding warned that with some schools reporting likely 80 per cent attendance for Term 2, social distancing would not be possible. She feared for the safety of staff.
Association of Independent Schools of SA chief executive Carolyn Grantskalns said health advice was that “schools are safe”.
“Schools have worked with their parent communities to identify those students who will be at school so that they can plan both to maintain safe practices and provide adequate supervision,” she said.
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Catholic Education SA assistant director Bruno Vieceli said most students would be learning from home, but all schools would be open and no child would be turned away.
SA Education Minister John Gardner said he was focused on supporting students whether they were at school or at home, rather than speculating on attendance trends.