Coronavirus: NSW schools could reopen by August

Scott Morrison has revealed he would send his two daughters back to school in a “heartbeat” if it wasn’t for the current distance learning model.

Scott Morrison has revealed he would send his two daughters Abigail and Lily back to school in a “heartbeat” if they were going to be taught by teachers complaining the current distance learning model is “child minding”, not education.

The Prime Minister’s daughters have relocated with his wife Jenny to live the Lodge in Canberra during the COVID-19 crisis so he can attend daily briefings with heath officials and staff.

But the PM said he would not send his kids back to their Sydney private school until it went beyond “looking at a screen”.

Many schools that are remaining open to essential workers are only offering to supervise children while they complete the same distance learning that kids are doing at home.

“I kept my kids in school till the last week because they weren’t getting taught in school in that last week, they were looking at a screen, that’s not teaching that’s child minding,” he told 6PR radio.

“It isn’t just about, you know, that kids can go along and sit in a hall and be minded, we want them to get educated.

“We’re on school holidays in NSW so the kids are at home but I’d have them back in a heartbeat if they were getting taught at school. At the moment we’re lucky they can have a learning environment at home.”

New South Wales has flagged a possible return to school in August after the Mr Morrison’s plea for classrooms to reopen — but the Education Minister Dan Tehan has got himself into a tangle over whether his own kids will return this week.

The Federal Education Minister was put on the spot about the Prime Minister’s plea for teachers to return to work today amid complaints from unions it is sending mixed messages to parents.

As a working dad, he was asked if his own children, who are boarders at a private school, will be returning to classrooms.

“Obviously we have been on school holidays. In Victoria, some schools, public schools start today. Independent schools start back today,’’ Mr Tehan said.

“So I will be having a discussion with my kids about what they should do. Obviously, they do have the option of being cared for safely at home. They are very keen to get back to school. They are missing their friends and they are missing their teachers.”

Education Minister Dan Tehan was caught in an awkward moment on Sky News today when asked if he would send his kids to school. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Asked if this was a mixed message Mr Tehan said the message was clear.

“I don’t have hesitation. I think it is safe for children to be at school. But obviously, in Victoria, they are saying if you can learn from home that is their preference,’’ he said.

NSW and Queensland now appear closer to the Prime Minister’s position and have agreed to review the distance learning arrangements midterm.

In NSW, that could involve classes resuming in August.

“We’ll have something to say before term two, the first couple of weeks will likely be the same as term one, but I would like to see a change and we will move towards that,’’ NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian speaks to the media this morning. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

“The health experts have always stated that schools are a safe environment, but vulnerable teachers and parents need to be looked after. I support the principle for more face-to-face teaching for students and we’ll be making more decisions on that shortly.”

NSW’s chief health officer Kerry Chant said new research on the spread of COVID in schools would be released soon.

“We are undertaking studies on spreading in schools, so far they seem to show most of the acquisition is between adults and spreading among themselves, and not children being a key driver,’’ she said.

“We are releasing that research shortly but that is our indicative view.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said a decision on whether to return to normal operations would be made midterm.

“Schools in Queensland are open for students and kids of essential workers, we have the right mix in Queensland,’’ she said.

“We said we would review the situation by the 15th of May, halfway between term two. I’m comfortable with the position we’re taking to reopen schools next week.”

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews confirmed today the official advice had not changed.

“If you can educate your children at home then that’s exactly what you must do,’’ he said.

Mr Andrews said it was “common sense” that if all children returned to school that would have an impact on social distancing measures.

The Victorian Government said the definition of essential workers was broad and included not only nurses and doctors, but supermarket workers and anyone who had a job and could not care for kids at home.

“Dan Tehan has made it clear that schools should be open for kids who need it. There’s no difference to our approach. The federal minister has made it clear that our settings are consistent and across the country. Learn from home, if you can’t, schools are open.

“If you actually watch the PM’s video it’s clear, schools are open but parents must make those decisions. My kids are home and that’s what needs to happen.

“There’s no difference between what I’m saying and what the PM and Tehan said.”

In the Northern Territory, schools will remain open for business in term two.

But in the ACT, the Barr Government has closed the majority of schools even for essential workers including hospital staff advising them to take kids to hubs where childcare workers will supervise online learning.