Several teachers from across the NT stuck in Victoria, New South Wales due to border restrictions
The Territory’s border lockdowns with New South Wales and Victoria have stranded Territory teachers as Term 3 begins today.
Northern Territory
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NT BORDER restrictions with New South Wales and Victoria have stranded Territory teachers as children return to the classroom for term 3 on Tuesday.
Thousands of students and teachers, such as those at the Territory’s newest school Zuccoli Primary School, will head back to the classroom after three weeks of school holidays.
However, some teachers who ventured interstate have found themselves stuck and facing either a $2500 bill to return and quarantine at facilities in Howard Springs or Alice Springs or stay in lockdown for an indefinite period of time.
There are fewer than 20 NT teachers stuck in hot spots in Victoria and NSW.
The NT News understands the stranded teachers are from across the NT.
A Department of Education spokeswoman said the department was supporting students who were caught up in the Covid-19 restrictions.
“We are supporting those schools that may be affected, ensuring that all students can continue learning from the first day back this term,” the spokeswoman said.
“If they have been to a location that requires quarantine on return, recreation, long service leave or leave without pay entitlements should be used.
“Last year, the department put in place the Safe Travel Register for situations like these, so we are able to anticipate and co-ordinate effective solutions to support our staff, students and school communities.”
The spokeswoman said families should contact their school if they were caught up in the lockdown and unable to begin school this week.
“Families are encouraged to contact their schools if they are impacted by the current border closures, so that students can continue to learn remotely if needed,” she said.
Australian Education Union NT president Jarvis Ryan said he believed principals and schools were equipped enough to manage a shortage of teachers as a result of Covid-19 restrictions.
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“The impact on schools depends on the size of the school and the nature of the missing teacher’s role, however, schools do manage this problem every day and principals will be experienced in terms of making contingency plans,” he said.
“To date we’ve not had individual schools contacting us with operational problems as a result of staffing.”
Mr Ryan said it was likely that stuck teachers would have to cough up the cash for quarantine at Howard Springs in order to return to the NT to begin work.
“We’re more involved in negotiating access to working from home while in quarantine rather than being placed on work without pay,” he said.
Mr Ryan said the union would push for teachers in quarantine to be paid so the time could be used in quarantine to prepare lesson plans and content for classrooms.
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