Albert Park College to make students wear masks in the classroom

An inner city high school is making its students wear masks in the classroom, despite the education department saying it isn’t mandatory.

Albert Park College students will wear masks in the classroom.

Some students will be forced to wear face masks when they return to school from Thursday.

Despite masks not being mandatory in Victorian schools or workplaces some schools have decided to order students wear them in all classes.

It will see some schoolkids subjected to the most onerous mask rules in the state.

The move has angered parents and students who say they are confused by conflicting messages between the government and schools.

Albert Park College has notified students they will be required to wear a face mask when in class.

In an email to parents and students principal Steven Cook said masks would not be required outside the classroom.

“While Victoria is currently free of community transmission, we must keep up our vigilance and obey safe distancing rules,” he said.

“This means that masks must be worn in classrooms, but are not required outside the classroom.

“In other words, you do not need to wear a mask in the playground or during sports outdoors.

“The general rule is, you must wear a mask where you are in a confined space for more than 15 minutes or cannot social distance.”

Angry parents said the mask edict was a disproportionate response given there were no longer any active cases of locally acquired coronavirus in Victoria.

“Will any other states make it mandatory for face masks to be worn?” one parent said.

“What is the benchmark when our Children are no longer required to wear face masks, no one will give me this answer, is it 30 days of no cases? 60? Forever?

“Albert Park College have been very dogmatic about face masks.”

Albert Park College did not respond to questions about the decision or potential consequences for students who refused to wear a mask.

Assistant principal Timothy Nolan referred all questions to the Department of Education.

A department spokesperson said: “the wearing of masks is not mandatory in Victorian schools”.

“Under public health advice, face masks are recommended for use by staff and students aged 12 years and older when physical distancing of 1.5m cannot be maintained,” he said.

“This will be reiterated to schools this week.

“Face masks must be worn by individuals aged 12 years and older when on public transport and school buses – unless they have a lawful exemption.”