Education Department reveals how many Queensland teachers are vaccinated

With thousands of students to head back to the classroom on Monday, Queensland’s Education Department has revealed how many of its teachers are double vaccinated. Details here.

With thousands of students set to return to the classroom on Monday, the start of the school year will be a bit different to normal with new Covid restrictions.

As of December 11 last year, which was also the first day of school holidays, the Chief Health Officer’s new direction required people working in “high risk” settings, such as schools, to be double vaccinated.

Queensland has about 55,000 teachers working in state schools and about 870,000 students will head back to the classroom on Monday morning.

The Department of Education said about 98 per cent of its teaching workforce had indicated they were fully vaccinated, but did not put a figure of how many of those were in Central Queensland, despite being asked by this publication.

The figure means about 53,900 members of the state’s teaching workforce have indicated they’re double vaccinated with the other 1100 not confirming their vaccination status.

“Letters have been sent to staff who have not confirmed their double vaccination status to provide a valid reason why they should not be suspended from duty without pay,” a spokesperson for the department said.

“While this number is comparatively small, all Queensland state schools have plans in place to allow the safe return of students and staff to school.

“Additionally, the Department has access to approximately 5000 fully vaccinated relief teachers, who are ready to work in state schools across the state if required.”

On Sunday, Education Minister Grace Grace announced new measures for when students go back to school on Monday.

Masks will be required for all staff and high school students – and highly encouraged for most primary school students – when classes resume.

Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) will also be available to students and staff who develop symptoms while at school, while those who develop symptoms at home will have priority access to RATs at Queensland Health clinics.

The government also introduced a number of temporary measures for the first four weeks of term including the suspension of school camps, excursions, assemblies and large gatherings.

There will also be limitations of visitors on school sites, with exceptions for parents and carers of students experiencing vulnerability, and all students attending Early Childhood Development Programs, Kindergarten, Prep or Year 1.

“Principals will continue to support employees to receive the vaccine and employees are encouraged to speak with their doctor if they have any concerns specific to their own circumstances or medical history,” the department spokesperson said.

“The department will continue to work closely with caregivers and school communities to keep everyone up-to-date with the best possible information and advice to ensure continuity of learning for students after the commencement of Term 1 2022.”