School tuckshops, P&C committees impacted by Covid-19 vaccine mandate

Queensland school tuckshops and uniform stores could face serious volunteer shortages next year due to the vaccine mandate, P&Cs predict

School tuckshops, uniform shops and parent committees could face shortages next year due to the government’s new education vaccine mandate, with the head of Queensland’s P&C association predicting thousands of volunteers will resist getting the jab.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk this week announced all public and private school staff – including any volunteers – must have received at least one dose of a vaccine by December 17 and be fully vaccinated by January 23 before school resumes.

P&Cs Qld has predicted the move could mean as many as 4500 of Queensland’s 29,000 school volunteers may be stopped from working in schools from next year.

Chief executive Scott Wiseman said while the organisation understood the “rationale and reasoning” for the mandate, he also predicted “significant ramifications”, particularly for small schools who have a smaller pool of volunteers available.

P&Cs raise almost $86 million for state schools each year, and Mr Wiseman said a loss of volunteers could reduce the capacity of P&Cs to provide certain services for schools.

“Whilst we have been expecting a system-wide decision, given other states and territories recent announcements, there will still be a significant potential impact,” he said.

“We call on all school parents and community members to join in and lend a hand by contacting and volunteering for their local P&C in 2022.”