Vaccine mandate: Parents fear teacher mass exodus at Coombabah State School
Parents are worried their kids will be forced to get the jab without consent and won’t have decent teachers in the new school year.
Central
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Parents of children attending a Gold Coast primary school have voiced their fears of a mass teacher exodus, saying “the education level won’t be the same”.
The group of Coombabah State School parents have thrown their support behind several staff who have left the school due to the state’s vaccine mandate.
A parent at the school, who asked not to be named, said some staff left the school last year while others were waiting for the mandate to be enforced before they left.
He said parents would know the full extent of the school’s staffing issues next week when classes restarted for the new term.
“They are going to be short of staff, so the education level won’t be the same,” the concerned parent said.
“About 40 per cent of parents are concerned their kids are going to be wearing masks or getting the jab without consent or won’t have a decent teacher.
“There will be a whole bunch of new teachers at the school this year.”
A Department of Education spokesman did not respond to the Bulletin’s request to confirm the number of teachers who had left Coombabah State School, or how many other schools had been impacted across the Gold Coast.
He said 98 per cent of the state’s teaching workforce had indicated they were fully vaccinated.
“Letters have been sent to staff who have not confirmed their double vaccination status to provide a valid reason why they should not be suspended from duty without pay,” the spokesman said.
“While this number is comparatively small, all Queensland state schools have plans in place to allow the safe return of students and staff to school.”
He said the department had access to 5000 fully vaccinated relief teachers, who could work in state schools across the state if required.
“Principals will continue to support employees to receive the vaccine and employees are encouraged to speak with their doctor if they have any concerns specific to their own circumstances or medical history,” the spokesman said.
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