Covid Qld: Teachers unions blindsided by controversial decision to extend school term in December

The contentious decision to extend the school year by a week in December was made without any consultation with the teachers’ unions, it can be revealed.

A contentious decision to extend the school year by a week in December shocked many in state government including people within the Education Department.

The decision, which was made without consultation with teachers’ unions, was made directly before the government’s Covid-19 press conference at a Queensland Disaster Management Committee meeting.

The extension sparked outrage from the Queensland Teachers’ Union which argued the extra week in December didn’t recognise the impact of the pandemic on the workload and wellbeing of teachers and leaders.

Independent Education Union Queensland secretary Terry Burke had also said it would be rejected by many teachers.

About a week later the government backflipped – scrapping the additional week because it was now confident the curriculum could be delivered during a shorter semester.

A government spokesman said the initial decision to extend the year was made to ensure children did not miss out on schooling.

“Teachers were later able to assure that schooling could be achieved within the school year,” he said.

Meanwhile the government is facing mounting calls to release its return to school plan.

Education Minister Grace Grace at a press conference. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who on Tuesday revealed Education Minister Grace Grace had Covid-19, said she wanted to wait until her Minister was “back on deck” before announcing the plan.

Consultation with education stakeholders is ongoing with the plan expected to be released in a matter of days.

But Opposition education spokesman Christian Rowan said there was “simply no excuse for this delay”.

“After two years of disruption, parents, students, teachers and staff deserve certainty,” he said.

“The lack of leadership from the state government has left students, teachers and parents feeling vulnerable at a time when safety and certainty are paramount.”

Dr Rowan claimed the early childcare sector had “also been practically forgotten” with no clarity provided to parents and staff.

“It is now less than two weeks before the proposed return to school, and still no comprehensive plan has been released,” he said.

“It is not good enough.”