New Gold Coast classroom rule creates confusion

Children won’t be subject to the social distancing rules in the classroom when some grades return back to school next week it has been revealed.

CHILDREN won’t be subject to the social distancing rules in the classroom when some grades return back to school next week.

According to the Queensland Teachers Union president Kevin Bates, members are perplexed as to why they have been told social distancing rules only count in the playground.

In advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and relayed by the state government: “physical distancing (i.e. 4 sqm per person in an enclosed space and 1.5m distancing otherwise) is not required for students during classroom activities.”

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Canterbury-Bankstown Express Cleaners photographed cleaning a classroom at St Christopher's Catholic Primary in March following coronavirus fears. (AAP Image / Monique Harmer)

Mr Bates said the advice is among the many safety questions that need to be ironed out for members before school resumes for prep, year one, year 11 and 12 on Monday.

“That has been our issue all the way along, there is a difference between the advice in and out of the classroom, but adults are asked to remain socially distanced throughout.

“The classroom stance is obviously contradictory to other advice, we have been slammed for asking that questions but as educators we spend our entire lived promoting critical thinking.

“I simply need on behalf o member to know how this is possible.”

“Reading other advice it is difficult to reconcile.”

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Queensland Teachers' Union president Kevin Bates.

Outside of some social distancing measures Mr Bates said the schools are expecting a drop in students as parents choose to keep their kids at home.

“We have found in states and territories where schools are fully opened they haven’t had more than 60 per cent of attendance,” he said.

“Clearly parents are exercising their right to keep kids at home, this however will add another level of complications as teachers will be responding to students at home and teaching in person.”

Mr Bates said vulnerable workers are also still working from home taking an expected 3000 teachers from the workforce.

“Principals and teachers have made a huge effort to going online as part of their planning, now they are flipping the switch and doing whatever they can to return in a positive direction.”

A range of hygiene safeguards will also be in place on school grounds including increased hours for school cleaners, more soap and sanitiser and regular cleans.

Schools have also been asked to establish new pick up and drop off regimes to ensure social distancing before students return.

Mr Bates said there was a huge amount of work ahead for educators in the coming week, with a number of details to be finalised by authorities.
“While we anticipate it will be back to a business as usual approach from next Monday it currently appears to be a pipe dream in terms of what it will take to get us there,” Mr Bates said.