When private school students will return to classrooms

Most students at non-government schools will be back on deck soon, signing up to funding support for COVID-19 hygiene measures. But one state is still dragging its heels.

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Most students in the country’s non-government schools will be back on deck by June after 96 per cent of non-government schools signed up to the Federal Government’s offer of funding support for additional COVID-19 hygiene measures.

Schools only received the funding if they committed to a plan to get back into the classroom.

But Victoria is still behind the other states with only 80 per cent of private schools taking up the offer.

In NSW and Queensland, the take up by private schools is 92 per cent, South Australia is 98 per cent, ACT, 94 per cent and Western Australia, 91 per cent.

The take up in Tasmania is 88 per cent followed by Victoria 80 per cent and Northern Territory 60 per cent.

Most non-government schools will be back on deck by June.

The funding was offered contingent on schools planning to have half of their students back in the classroom by June 1.

The offer also followed the federal government’s earlier offer to have non-government schools’ usual federal funding brought forward if they committed to having students back.

Many Victorian independent schools resisted the lure, saying it put them in an unfair position as the state government’s advice at the time was to keep schools closed.

News Corp Australia understands only one fifth of Victorian independent schools applied for the early funding.

The move was seen by some at the time as putting pressure on the state governments to reopen public schools and was criticised by the unions as favouring the private schools.

Schools are upping their hand hygiene rules.

The new federal government data shows 100 per cent of Catholic schools in every state and territory will take the Government up on the offer to share $9.3 million to help pay for soap, hand sanitiser or extra cleaning.

Education Minister Dan Tehan said 2738 schools would share in the funding to help pay for soap, hand sanitiser or extra cleaning.

“The success of this program demonstrates that schools want to get children back in the classroom with the right safety protocols in place,” Mr Tehan said.

“The expert medical advice has been consistent that schools are safe for students and teachers with the right protocols in place and National Cabinet has recognised the importance of education being delivered by a teacher in the classroom.

“As students and teachers return to the classroom around Australia it is essential that everyone remains vigilant about the potential spread of COVID-19.

“Washing hands with soap and water or hand sanitiser is an important part of practising good hygiene that helps slow the spread of the coronavirus.

“Parents and teachers can do their bit by continuing to follow the expert medical advice, practice good hygiene and social distancing and download and register the COVIDSafe app.”