School rapid tests under review as poll finds 1 in 3 are not complying
Schools require students to take rapid tests twice a week, but with a poll showing many parents refusing, the policy is under review.
Education
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One in three parents are refusing to follow the government’s rules to test their children with a rapid antigen kit twice a week before they go to school, according to a poll by The Daily Telegraph.
Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the first three weeks of the return to school had “gone well” but the government was yet to decide whether the RAT testing strategy will continue after next week.
“We are always monitoring the situation in our schools. The return to school has gone well, and I thank all staff, parents and students for making this possible,” she told The Daily Telegraph.
“School settings are currently being reviewed, and I’ll have more to say on this when a decision has been made.”
Premier Dominic Perrottet said it was “unlikely” the testing requirement would be extended beyond four weeks.
A poll asking parents whether they were complying with the requirement found 36 per cent of more than 400 respondents were not testing their children.
Parents turned to social media to voice their stance with one user writing: “No. Use common sense and if they feel unwell keep them home and get them tested.”
“Nope how does it help (if it) can take up to seven days to test positive mean while for those seven days the child (is) still attending school,” another wrote.
But there was also plenty of support for the measure with another user hoping testing continues: “Last Monday morning (my) daughter tested positive, she had no symptoms whatsoever. After a PCR it was confirmed the RAT test was correct. Our school has had a massive outbreak due to parents not testing. We had to stay locked up (again), kids missed out on school etc etc. Just do the bloody tests, makes life easier on all of us!”
Teachers Federation president Angelo Gavrielatos said testing should remain even if some people are not following the rules.
“The rapid antigen tests have proven to be an important line of defence in making sure our schools can be as safe as can be. There is no doubt that they are doing what they were intended to do and that is to identify people who are positive before they’re on site,” he said.
“Why shouldn‘t they continue? Ultimately you can never overcompensate when it comes to the implementation of risk mitigation strategies.
“Even if it were the case that some parents were not observing the rapid antigen testing regimen, that‘s not a reason to abandon it.”
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