Brisbane floods: Parents slam confusion over school reopenings

Families were left scrambling after multiple schools informed parents they would be open on Tuesday, only for the State Government to backflip.

Hundreds of South East Queensland families were left scrambling after a communication breakdown saw multiple principals informing parents schools would be open on Tuesday, only for a blanket closure to be announced late on Monday.

The State Opposition has slammed the “chaos and confusion” the mixed messages had caused families, claiming it had compounded “already high anxieties”.

The Courier-Mail understands principals in the southeast were informed on Monday morning schools would likely open if they hadn’t experienced flooding or damage, and had adequate staff available.

In response, a high number of southeast schools had already informed their school communities they would be open on Tuesday.

But at about 5pm on Monday, Education Minister Grace Grace announced all state schools in 10 local government areas would remain closed on Tuesday, regardless of the damage they had sustained.

“Our absolute highest priority is the safety of our students, staff, and families,” she said on Monday afternoon.

“As floodwaters recede and we can conduct damage assessments and ensure safe transport, more schools will be able to open.”

In pictures: Queensland floods from above

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But after the announcement, irate parents swarmed Ms Grace’s Facebook page demanding answers, claiming they had already been told their child’s school would be open.

“How’s about you communicate with your local (assistant region directors) a bit more so they can advice each of their principals to not spend all day trying to remotely co-ordinate with all their staff and their school communities in whether or not they will be able to open their schools tomorrow,” one person posted.

Another wrote: “I’m in Ipswich council (area) and received messages from my kids’ two schools saying they are open. I’m confused.”

Another parent posted: “It is very confusing when individual schools have emailed in the last hour or announced on FB that they are open and then this message goes out. There needs to be better communication.”

In response, Ms Grace’s team apologised for the “mixed messages”, and said the flood disaster was a rapidly evolving situation.

Opposition education spokesman Dr Christian Rowan said in a natural disaster it was vital the State Government was providing clear and consistent messages.

“For families, school staff and communities to be subjected to the inconsistency and uncertainty we’ve seen unfold (on Monday afternoon) is poor leadership,” he said.

“In a time we needed a calm and steady hand there has been chaos and confusion.

“This further compounds already high anxieties.

“Queenslanders expect better.”