School staff shortages set to continue amid delay in scrapping vaccination mandates

A NSW MP is warning the delay in lifting vaccine mandates has prevented thousands of teachers, including casuals, from being available to work as students return to school.

School staff shortages fuelled by a ban on teachers working unvaccinated are set to continue well into the new term with vaccine mandates set to remain in place until May 13.

Rules requiring teachers and other public servants to be vaccinated could also remain in place even longer, with the Department of Premier and Cabinet only now conducting “individual risk assessments” on whether government staff need to be jabbed to go to work.

With the new school term beginning this week, there are calls to lift vaccination mandates immediately so accredited teachers who have not been double-jabbed can fill shortages caused by those who catch the virus.

It comes as a leading infectious diseases expert said the time for mandates is over because so much of the population is vaccinated.

Premier Dominic Perrottet last week announced that public health orders mandating vaccination for health and education workers would be lifted – but there is so-far no clarity on whether other rules requiring workers to be fully vaccinated will be scrapped.

(File image) Vaccination requirements will remain in place for teachers and school staff for at least three weeks.

“Following the NSW Government’s announcement last week, DPC (Department of Premier and Cabinet) is undertaking risk assessments and, where appropriate, staff consultations with respect to vaccination requirements for all roles,” a spokesperson said.

The delay in lifting vaccine mandates has prevented thousands of teachers, including casuals, from being available to work, One Nation MP Mark Latham has warned.

One Nation MP Mark Latham says the delay is perpetuating the staffing crisis in NSW classrooms. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

“The teacher shortages won’t end in Term 2 until the mandates are abolished,” he said.

“The main problem hasn’t been Covid sick days in schools, it’s been the 11,000 teachers either sacked or stood down.”

“How can the government allow back into classrooms a teacher who shares a bedroom with someone who has Covid but not an unvaccinated teacher with no Covid in their home?” he asked.

A spokesperson for NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell disputed Mr Latham’s case. Picture: Tim Hunter

A spokeswoman for Education Minister Sarah Mitchell disputed the figure of 11,000 teachers not being available for work due to vaccination status.

Since November 2021, the department has terminated 981 temporary and full time contracts due to the vaccination mandate, she said.

Infectious diseases expert Professor Peter Collignon said there would be “no difference” in scrapping the teachers’ vaccine mandate now compared to waiting until May 13, when it is scheduled to end.

“We should still really push vaccination for adults but equally I think the time for vaccine mandates is over because it’s not going to contribute much to the spread of Covid,” he said.

“I personally think all adults should be vaccinated, but by the same token we need to accept there’s a few per cent of people who I think have made a bad choice but have made it,” he said.