Covid cases reported at schools in Monash, Yarra Ranges

Thousands of families are in isolation following the return to school, but staff absences remain low.

Parents and kids are being warned of a bumpy ride as schools return.

More than 7000 Victorian students and almost 1000 school staff members are battling Covid, following the return to the classroom.

Education Minister James Merlino announced on Tuesday a further 2368 students and 125 staff had been diagnosed with Covid, bringing the cumulative number to 7046 students and 925 staff.

Mr Merlino said this represented 0.7 per cent of students and 0.84 per cent of staff.

He said staff absences were less than pre-pandemic levels in 2019, which reflected the dedication of teachers, principals and support staff.

Mr Merlino said no school had been forced to close and shift to remote learning due to Covid, and no school had called on the pool of retired teachers and principals, established to support schools struggling with staff absences.

The state government announced on Tuesday free rapid antigen testing would be expanded to kinders and childcare over the next week to ten days.

Rapid tests will be given to all kids aged between three and five who attend early childhood education services.

Mr Merlino said feedback from principals, teachers, parents and students indicated the voluntary twice a week rapid tests were providing confidence and comfort in schools, and the government was keen to expand the program to children in kinder and childcare.

Education Minister James Merlino addressing the media at Monday’s press conference. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Speaking at Monday’s press conference, Mr Merlino said last Friday 964 students were positive, and 150 teachers.

Over the weekend, a further 607 students reported they were positive.

“We knew that the first few weeks in particular of school would be a little bit bumpy,” Mr Merlino said.

“We knew that we would get some positive cases, but the benefits outweigh the challenges.”

Mr Melino said although it was challenge to support students and teachers who tested positive or were primary close contacts, it was better than having all students remote learning.

“It’s better to support those many hundreds of students and teachers than have 1 million students at home, remote learning,” he said.

It comes after two more schools in Melbourne’s east are believed to be dealing with Covid cases, with infections expected to rise as students return to the classroom.

The latest schools to be impacted are in the City of Monash and Yarra Ranges, according to a report on 3AW’s Neil Mitchell program last week.

It follows cases at Luther College in Croydon and Carey Grammar.

A Department of Education and Training spokesperson didn’t confirm which schools had recorded cases, but said no government schools were closed or offering remote learning as a result of staff absences due to Covid cases reported on Monday, January 31.

“Our back to school plan provides families and school communities with confidence that we are doing everything we can to make it as safe as possible for students and staff at school,” the spokesperson said.

“The plan includes a comprehensive list of safety measures for schools, including RAT surveillance testing for every Victorian student in primary and secondary school, along with teachers, support staff and early childhood educators and staff.”

Principals must notify the school community through a daily email when a student or staff member – or multiple students or staff members – who had attended the school have returned a positive Covid test result and had attended the school.

Mr Merlino ruled out a return to remote learning, promising it will only be “an absolute last resort for a particular school who are having significant challenges with staffing for example”.