Rochedale State School parents protest after asbestos found in classrooms

Children are being supervised in a Logan school library after scared parents refused to allow their children to return to classrooms where asbestos was found in the ceilings. They have staged a protest to warn other parents of a “ticking time bomb’’.

(clockwise from left) Parents protest outside Rochedale State School; classrooms were closed until “make safe'' works were done; asbestos rained down from unsealed ceiling tiles.

Children are being supervised in a Logan school library after scared parents refused to allow their children to return to 12 classrooms where asbestos was found in the ceilings.

The Department of Education said it was “confident every available measure has been undertaken to ensure these classrooms are safe for reoccupation’’, including stripping rooms and removing carpet.

But Rochedale State School parents staged a snap protest outside the grounds on Monday, April 15, to warn other parents and ensure similar incidents never happened again.

Worried dad Adam Littlefield said the most troubling aspect was that asbestos dust began spontaneously raining down on desks in his son’s classroom last month.

It was only after an alert teacher reported that she had wiped dust off the desks of her students that testing revealed asbestos was raining down from unsealed ceiling tiles.

Sealant around a fan. Parents claim the work to isolate the asbestos was not done according to standard protocol, which the Department denies.

“Nothing was disturbed, it was just from vibrations from the children moving around,’’ he said.

“Kids whose parents are refusing to go back are getting supervision but aren’t getting taught the curriculum.

“We’re talking about two classrooms’ worth of kids who were (potentially) exposed – there were 14 positive tests in half a dozen classes.’’

The school first became aware of the outbreak on March 11 when the teacher raised concerns about dust on windowsills.

Sample testing of carpets, windowsills, walls, lights and classroom equipment like projectors confirmed asbestos containing material in the rooms.

Classrooms housing students in Years 1-3, in blocks D and E, were promptly relocated to alternative spaces as a temporary measure while a thorough cleaning process was initiated.

Mr Littlefield said parents began ringing around asbestos experts after being told by the school that asbestos had been found.

He said the classroom ceiling appeared never to have been sealed, gaps around fans were later fixed with masking tape or sealant and perforations were visible, with the ceiling cavity observable from below.

Parents protesting outside the school on Monday.

The trouble began late last month when the teacher found the dust on a Friday afternoon.

The rooms were cleaned every night so the teacher was puzzled and reported it on the following Monday after wiping down desks.

Children were moved to other classrooms and were not allowed to remove items from them.

An email was sent to parents which only mentioned “infrastructure’’ issues, Mr Littlefield said.

“Our children were already at school by then. It wasn’t until Tuesday that they told us 14 positive tests were returned from several classrooms.’’

He said testing should have been done after fans were turned on but instead only tape testing was done, which picked up any fibres stuck to the tape.

The last routine testing was in 2022.

Asbestos was found in unsealed ceiling tiles. Perforations were still in the ceilings.

A Department of Education spokesman said appropriately qualified trades and occupational hygienists were used.

“The Department has obtained clearances on three occasions for safe reoccupation,’’ he said.

“Ongoing air monitoring in these classrooms and physical inspections of the ceilings will continue, until the scheduled removal occurs in the Christmas holiday period, in order to provide an additional level of assurance to the school community.’’

Affected equipment had been removed. More testing would be done after ceilings were replaced, all of which went “above and beyond’’ requirements recommended by asbestos experts.

Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard later addressed concerned parents.

Affected classrooms were closed while work was being carried out.

He said parents asked Dr Gerrard questions about the treatment methods, but were not satisfied after speaking with asbestos experts.

They also met the principal, Assistant Minister for Education Corinne McMillan, Department of Education and QBuild officials, several times, were given separate health advice and allowed to inspect the classrooms. They still were not satisfied.

“They’re trying to make out like it’s not a big deal. They’re fixing this as it happens,’’ Mr Littlefield said.

He said he was meeting with Shadow Education spokesman Dr Christian Rowan at state parliament today, April 16.

“Asbestos exposure is a serious public health matter and there is nothing more important than the safety of our children and students in our schools,’’ Dr Rowan said.

“Asbestos management requires diligent processes to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students, teachers and staff.

Airconditioners have been removed but parents say the ceiling cavity is still visible.

“The health and safety of students and staff should be paramount, but alarmingly, the Palaszczuk-Miles Labor Government has dropped the ball on asbestos management and quietly abandoned monthly reporting on asbestos testing results leading to a loss of openness, transparency and accountability.

“This State Labor Government must take the issue of asbestos management in our schools seriously, and be open and transparent, to ensure student and teacher safety.’’

Premier Steven Miles told Parliament on Monday that his government took the issue of asbestos in schools “very seriously’’.

Buderim MP Brent Mickelberg also asked in Parliament yesterday why the government’s open data portal no longer updated the asbestos register monthly, as it had done for about a decade.

The Premier did not answer the question, instead saying:

“The role of the education department in taking care of young Queenslanders while they’re at school is incredibly important.

“We take it incredibly seriously and will continue to ensure that the Department of Education is doing everything that they can.”