Teachers revolt over keeping kids in class longer

The government has capitulated to union demands and scrapped its plan to extend the school year in light of Covid delays. Here’s why they changed their minds. POLL

Teachers’ prearranged holiday plans and concerns over wellbeing should they have to work an extra week in December has forced the ­government to backflip on controversial plans to extend the school year.

In a win for the powerful Queensland Teachers’ Union, students and educators will cram the curriculum into a shortened school year.

Students were due to sit a week longer to compensate for the delayed start to term one, however, Education Minister Grace Grace on Monday said the plan would be dropped following “constructive” talks with unions.

Education Minister Grace Grace at a press conference on Monday.

The Queensland Teachers’ Union’s opposition to the plan centred around staff and parents having already made holiday plans for ­December, and it is understood one teacher had her wedding booked.

“The decision to extend the school year does not recognise the impact of the pandemic on the workload and wellbeing of school leaders and teachers and acts to reduce member working conditions and leave entitlements,” the union said.

Ms Grace said she was ­satisfied that the full curriculum could be delivered in the condensed year, meaning the year would finish as planned on December 9.

“It’s important student learning isn’t impacted, which is why we flagged an extra week of term,” she said.

“However, after some very helpful and productive meetings with unions and key stakeholders, I am satisfied the full curriculum can be ­delivered in the condensed semester.”

The policy reversal was criticised by Opposition Leader David Crisafulli, who said it demonstrated the government’s inability to plan.

“In this case, they didn’t even speak to unions, didn’t even take the temperature of teachers and what it might mean for them,” he said.

“They’ve got to stop the daily circus and get back to governing and governing involves listening, planning and implementing.”

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Queensland recorded 15,122 new Covid-19 cases on Monday morning.

Almost one million Queenslanders have received their booster dose, however, the state government is ­pleading with those who are eligible to urgently get the jab after seven people died in the 24 hours to Monday morning – the highest daily toll of the pandemic.

Of the seven deaths, two were in their 80s and five were in their 90s.

Two were unvaccinated and five had been double-vaccinated, but none had received their booster shot.

Chief health officer John Gerrard said unvaccinated people were 24 times more likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit than someone who was triple-vaccinated.

“I am still very concerned that there are vulnerable people, elderly people who have not received their third dose of vaccine,” he said.

Just one of the 29 people who have died since December 13 received their booster.

Anyone who received their second dose more than four months ago should get a third jab from a GP, pharmacy or Queensland Health site, Dr Gerrard said.

There are now 702 people in hospital, including 47 in ­intensive care and 15 people on ventilators.

Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard and Health Minister Yvette D'Ath at a press conference on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said families preparing to move an elderly relative into a nursing or aged-care ­facility should ensure they had received a third dose before entering.

Ms D’Ath acknowledged that the commonwealth was “stretched for resources” in rolling out the booster shots to vulnerable residents in aged-care facilities.

“I am concerned that not all aged-care facilities have their boosters yet and I am concerned (about) people in the disability sector as well,” she said.

When asked about whether the booster vaccination would be made mandatory for Queensland Health staff, Ms D’Ath said “I don’t think we need to”.

“Our health workforce are seeing the benefits of vaccination each and every day,” she said.

“Those working on the frontline know that most of the people they’re treating are either unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated.”

Queenslanders have been told they cannot “escape this virus”, with Boulia now the state’s only local government area yet to record a case.

Ms Grace said the government was also working to ensure teachers were vaccinated upon their return to school and declared those who were not would be stood down “by a certain date”.

She said Queensland was waiting for national guidelines to be developed to deal with Covid outbreaks at schools.

“Obviously safety comes first and following the health advice is necessary,” she said.