Parents should plan for schools to remain open in Term 2

THE expectation Territory schools will be forced to close is growing but the education department says it’s business as usual

School closures loom across the NT in the wake of the coronavirus

THE expectation Territory schools will be forced to close is growing but the education department says it’s business as usual.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner has allowed parents to withdraw their children from school for the rest of the term if they choose.

An online petition has been created by the Independent Education Union of Queensland and the NT and has already received more than 1000 signatures.

Teachers have signed with comments including they are feeling unsafe at work.

“For the safety of staff, many staff have heath problems that put them at high risk. It’s not fair to ask them to continue working in such conditions, it puts their lives and their families in jeopardy,” Kellie H wrote.

“School staff aren’t provided with appropriate PPE to continue work and the social distancing rules are impossible in a school setting. Overall not a safe work environment for anyone.”

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It is understood the Department of Education is hurriedly preparing for what may come in Term 2 with Education Minister Selena Uibo putting together a team to ensure schools and students across the Territory are accommodated.

A decision is likely on Thursday.

“I have established a working group that includes the Department of Education, the Australian Education Union, the NT Principals’ Association and NT COGSO to develop a range of options to deal with the emerging needs of schools and to support school staff as we approach the end of term break,” she said.

A statement from the Education Department says: “It is expected that education will remain compulsory in Term 2 and the Department of Education (DoE) is working to make sure there can be flexible arrangements for students to receive their education - whether that’s at school or at home.

“Schools have developed their own individualised pandemic plans, with the support of DoE, which will help guide their delivery of education going forward, within the wider government responses, including potential school closures.

“In line with the decision made by the National Cabinet on Sunday night, the decision to send kids to school will be a choice for parents/families/carers for the rest of this term.”

Haileybury Rendall School and the Essington International School Darwin have online preparations underway and teachers being equipped for virtual classrooms.

O’Loughlin Catholic College has launched its online platform to the school community and they are continuing to prepare for a potential closure.

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In a letter to parents, Haileybury Rendall principal Craig Glass announced the school was ready to switch.

“We continue with our plans to be ready to move online delivery lessons for transition to Year 12 when necessary,” it read.

“In order to ensure our readiness, we will be having a student free day on Monday, 30 March for Junior School, Middle School and Senior School.

“The teaching staff will use this day to further develop their online delivery skills.”

Essington principal Brian Kennelly told the NT News the school had been monitoring the development of coronavirus and promptly took action.

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“We’re preparing for online, remote learning and the decision for that will be made once either the authorities tell us to, or we determine that from the health status of our own community,” he said.