Coronavirus: Gold Coast teachers ‘afraid and frustrated’ says Qld Teachers Union boss Kevin Bates

‘They certainly have a feeling they have been used as a childminding service for the rest of the economy’

ANGRY teachers say they have been left holding the bag for the economy as other sectors rush to isolate the workforce to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Confusion among the health workforce, parents and educators surrounds the decision to keep schools open as authorities call for more extreme social distancing measures.

Queensland Teachers Union boss Kevin Bates told the Bulletin that members were angry, afraid and frustrated that schools had not closed.

QTU President, Kevin Bates. Picture: QTU

“They certainly have a feeling they have been used as a childminding service for the rest of the economy, instead of being treated as the professionals they are.

“Many don’t believe the case is being made as to why the schools remain open.

“There is a feeling that the explanations are all economic reasons and for the safety of the children not the teachers putting themselves in harm’s way.”

Mr Bates said while he understood the decisions by authorities, teachers needed explanations.

“We continue to support our Government to lead us through this unprecedented national crisis,” he said.

Pimpama mum Sal Scanlon is keeping children Grace, 12, and Jack, 14 home from school in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: Tim Marsden.

Gold Coast Medical Association (GCMA) boss Philip Morris said a total closure of all schools was complicated but all avenues for the spread needed to be closed as soon as possible.

“The GCMA is aware that many well-intended people are wondering why the schools have not been closed. We are also aware this is a complex situation, for the following reasons.

“Children home from school will have to be cared for and a lot of parents are working. If children go home, and are looked after by grandparents it puts the grandparents at great risk.

“We also need to maximise the medical health workforce, and continue to look after health workers’ children while they treat the unwell.

“Once these issues have been resolved we believe a school closure is likely to happen. We hope this happens as soon as possible.”

Some parents are furious children being kept home from school during the pandemic will be classified as having taken “unauthorised” absences. Picture: Tim Marsden.

Some Gold Coast parents, meanwhile, are furious that state schools are being told that any child kept at home “as a precaution” will be marked “unauthorised”.

“If schools keep insisting parents need medical certificates to prove their child is ­immunocompromised this is going to clog up GPs’ valuable time,” one parent told the ­Bulletin.

General Practice Gold Coast chair Dr Katrina McLean said parents should not be punished for their ­decisions in regards to social distancing.

A Department of Education spokesperson said schools were continuing with their normal protocols with regard to ill students.

“The absences of students who are not unwell, do not meet Queensland Health’s ­requirements for self-­quarantine, or who are being kept at home without medical advice will be considered ­unauthorised,” the spokesperson said.