COVID-19 and NT schools: Everything NT parents need to know about Term Two

NT schools have been inundated with questions relating to COVID-19 and possible future closures. To help families, the NT News has collaborated with the Department of Education to answer your questions

Your questions on coronavirus and Territory schools answered — Part Two

NORTHERN Territory schools have recently been inundated with questions relating to COVID-19 and possible future closures.

To help families, the NT News has collaborated with the Department of Education to bring clarity around the coming weeks.

These responses are current as of March 27.

COVID-19 and NT schools: All your questions answered

Can parents send their children to school on April 6 to 9 when teachers are undertaking professional development?

Students are not required to attend however schools are open for the children of workers who cannot make other arrangements and for any vulnerable children who need to attend. No child will be turned away from school.

Schools stay open but kids to be told ‘stay home’

Will Territory schools be open in Term 2?

Education will be compulsory for all Territory students in Term 2, however Education Department chief executive Karen Weston said as the term neared, more details on schools would be announced.

“We’ll be looking at what sort of flexible delivery each school site can do,” she said.

“They’ll do the planning based on what's going on in Term Two around attendance, what staffing they’ve got and so on.”

Can parents keep their kids home from school in Term 2?

Parents will be updated as Term 2 approaches on how schools will educate students and whether or not they will be required to attend.

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What is required of parents if they choose to keep their kids home from school?

A Department of Education spokeswoman said: “Families are their child’s first teachers and we always encourage parents and carers to play an active role in their child’s learning and education. These resources are designed to assist the continuity of their child’s education during this time.”

How will students continue to be educated if they are kept home by their parents?

The Department of Education will distribute education packs for government schools across the Territory for children aged 0 to 3-years old, preschool, transition, primary and middle school students up to Year 9.

The packs include lessons and activities for literacy, numeracy, arts, humanities and science.

These resources can also be downloaded at the Department’s new website, Northern Territory Learning Commitment at nt.gov.au/learning/learning-together/nt-learning-commitment

The Department of Education has created a website for families to use called

Parents with questions on these materials can email [e-mail] and more learning resources are available at nt.gov.au/learning/learning-together

Each school will determine how their students continue learning, and can provide additional materials.