Shut them down: Keep NT schools open only for certain students, says Territory Alliance leader, Terry Mills

TERRITORY Alliance leader Terry Mills has called on the NT Government to close schools to all but vulnerable students and children of essential workers to prevent the community transmission of coronavirus

Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills is calling for a partial closure of NT schools. Picture: Glenn Campbell

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TERRITORY Alliance is calling on the NT Government to partially close schools to prevent community transmission of coronavirus.

Party leader Terry Mills, himself a former school teacher and principal, said the Territory should follow the Queensland Government’s lead and only allow vulnerable students and children of essential workers to attend school.

“We understand that the workforce across our essential services sector need to be supported, need to know that their children are being supported,” he said.

“So in that context Territory Alliance supports the announcement today from the Queensland Government that it is having a partial closure of schools from 30 March and call on the NT Government to follow this lead.

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“We are all in this together and we need to recognise that some families do not have the home environment, including no access to computers, to provide learning from home. Families who know they are unable to provide home learning should be allowed to send their children to school.

“In remote communities our schools must stay open to ensure children continue to have the access to school nutrition programs; that quite simply is to ensure that they continue to receive daily meals and that the vital health information can be provided to remote community members through their schools.”

Mr Mills added education staff aged 60 and above needed to be allowed to work from home, alongside staff whose family are in high risk health categories.

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“This is never a one size fits all approach in the NT but I am confident that these measures, if enacted, will give the support to learning that is needed and the health measures our education staff need to help see us through this pandemic period which experts advise will take months,” he said.

This week Chief Minister Michael Gunner announced parents were allowed to remove their children from school for the remainder of Term 1. It is unclear yet how Term 2 will commence.