Gold Coast border closure: 34 Queensland schools impacted, 240 teachers switch to remote learning

At least 34 schools have been impacted by the hard border closure between NSW and Queensland and more than 240 teachers are now working remotely.

A GOLD Coast school which lost 28 teachers to the NSW-Queensland border blockade is one of 34 impacted with more than 240 teachers having to switch back to remote learning.

The Bulletin last week revealed Palm Beach Currumbin High School – one of the city’s largest – had lost 28 teachers to the closure.

The school warned parents most students would see “a change in their teaching and learning experiences”.

Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace - revealing all up 34 Queensland schools and 242 teachers were affected - said on Monday the health advice deemed teachers and early childhood educators not essential workers, meaning staff would not be able to cross the border.

“Our planning has been meticulous to ensure any teachers and staff who live in NSW can still deliver lessons and support remotely to their students at schools in Queensland.

“From all reports, it’s also been a seamless transition for these impacted school communities which includes 34 Queensland schools and 242 teachers.”

Ms Grace said due to the recent lockdown in Queensland they were confident teachers were equipped to adjust to working from home.

“I acknowledge that this is a big challenge, but our staff and students have shown their resilience and ability to adapt quickly in the past,” she said.

Police and Emergency Services stop members of the public on the border for questioning. Picture Glenn Hampson

PBC principal Peter Hughes said where a student’s regular teacher was not able to attend school most classes would be delivered virtually under supervision or by a replacement teacher.

If a student from a border town was not able to attend school, the teacher would contact the student to outline a plan for remote learning, Mr Hughes said.