Union’s random Covid-19 RAT testing push slammed as ‘irresponsible’

A controversial proposal for Queensland students to undergo random Covid tests has been slammed as a waste of teachers’ valuable time. VOTE IN OUR POLL

The Education Australia Union has called for students to undergo random Covid testing when school returns next year. Photo Steve Pohlner

A controversial push for students to undergo random Covid testing in schools even without showing symptoms has been slammed as “irresponsible” and a waste of teachers’ time, according to a rival union.

The Australian Education Union in a submission to federal parliament called for “regular asymptomatic testing of all students and school staff”.

It would include RAT tests supplied to schools and student, mandatory staff vaccinations and financial support for testing and isolation.

Teachers’ Professional Association of Queensland slammed the push on behalf of its members saying it was the right and responsibility of parents to make the decisions for their children.

Teachers’ Professional Association of Queensland secretary Tracy Tully slammed the union’s calls. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The association’s state secretary Tracy Tully said teachers did not have time to include testing students as part of their already capacity workloads.

“It’s irresponsible, making parents, teachers and students’ even more anxious than they already are, about what may lie ahead for them in terms of RAT testing of school students,” Ms Tully said.

“Teachers are grossly overworked now, how can they possibly fit in RAT testing on top of everything else they do?”

Ms Tully said it was not a union’s job to dictate what happened to children inside schools.

“Our members tell us that as parents, it is their right and responsibility to care for their children and make the ultimate decision if their child is sick and shouldn’t attend school,” Ms Tully said.

“All schools have the ability to phone parents to pick up their kids if the school feels they’re not well. This practice has been around for decades, so there is no need to RAT test them.”

Queensland Teachers Union president Cresta Richardson said she looked forward to meeting with AEU representatives to better understand the proposal before any decision could be made to endorse it.

Ms Richardson said the union had advocated for a commonsense approach to managing risk and keeping school communities safe throughout the pandemic.

“Key to any policy moving forward is proper consultation with key stakeholders and school leaders, this respectful, collaborative approach is how Queensland schools have successfully navigated the challenges of pandemic so far,” Ms Richardson said.

“Queensland state schools currently have sufficient supplies of RAT tests and a good understanding of managing Covid-19 risks.”

Queensland Teachers Union president Cresta Richardson said it had continued to advocate for a commonsense approach to handling Covid in schools.

A Queensland Department of Education spokeswoman said RATs were available in schools for anyone who developed symptoms on site.

“Throughout the pandemic, the department has followed the advice from Queensland’s chief health officer and Queensland Health to help manage the impacts of Covid-19 on students, staff and their families, and will continue to do so,” the spokeswoman said.

“The department has no health advice to support regular asymptomatic testing.”

In its submission, the AEU said the risk of long Covid due to repeat infections spreading asymptomatically in schools was high.

“It is highly likely that repeated exposure to Covid at school will lead to increased long-term harm through cumulative effects of repeated infections and through an increase in the prevalence of long Covid among students,” the union’s submission stated.

It comes after the state’s top doctor declared the fourth Covid wave had peaked on the back of a drop in the number of people being put in hospital for treatment.

Queensland Health announced last week that there were 15,325 Covid cases recorded between December 15 and December 21, 1275 fewer cases than the previous week.