Qld schools close early, sparking backlash for working parents

It’s not only parents who will suffer from Queensland school year finishing two days early – a vital sector of the economy will cop a blow just as it’s shaking off the effects of coronavirus.

The move to reward teachers with pandemic leave, closing schools early this year, has sparked controversy, with parents and businesses set to bear the brunt of the decision.

It follows Education Queensland’s announcement yesterday that schools would close two days early, with the last day of school at metropolitan schools on Wednesday, December 9.

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Rural and remote state schools that typically finish earlier every year will also close two days early, with their last day on Wednesday, December 2.

The move was part of a deal between the Queensland Teachers’ Union and the State Government to appease the 47,000-member union, which was angered over the government’s pay-rise deferral amid the pandemic.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland general manager (people and culture) Jason Wales said this was an example of small business bearing the costs of the coronavirus pandemic.

“CCIQ recognises the role teachers played during the peak of the pandemic, but this is another example of small business having to absorb the cost and impact of COVID-19,” he said

“While employers endeavour to be supportive and flexible to the needs of their employees, the reality is most cannot afford to offer additional paid time off to their staff.”

He added that if staff need to take leave for these two days, it would need to be their annual leave, and if they don’t have the available leave, they can negotiate to take unpaid leave.

“Additionally, there’s also an impact to business operations and productivity, which is not ideal for business, especially those who are still struggling with reduced margins and profitability in the COVID recovery,” Mr Wales said.

The move has sparked an onslaught of social media debate about whether schools should be closing early, with some parents saying they would have to scramble to find childcare.

“Extra cost to the working parents now have to look for care or take the day off,” one commenter on The Courier-Mail’s Facebook page said.

Another person said, “Let’s just keep cutting days in class, while parents struggle to find care.”

“It’s time teachers only got annual leave and spend school holidays in classroom, as they claim to work during this time, then it should make no difference to them,” the commenter said.

But other parents argued that students “aren’t doing much” on the last two days of school anyway.

“Yep!!! The last week of school is used for cleaning the classroom anyway!” another person said.

But another person commented on social media said that “teachers deserve it”.

A Department of Education spokeswoman said the pandemic leave had been granted in recognition of the extraordinary efforts of school-based staff during the COVID-19 health pandemic.

“Decisions about the operating hours and services available (e.g. vacation care) are made at the local level by outside-school-hours-care service providers,” she said.

“Parents who have queries about the availability of services when schools are closed should be encouraged to contact their service provider.”