Teacher urges schools to shut as hygiene supplies run low

SCHOOLS are considering asking students to bring their own toiletry bags to school, as they struggle to find hand sanitiser, soap and paper towels

SCHOOLS are considering asking students to bring their own toiletry bags to school, as they struggle to find hand sanitiser, soap and paper towels.

A Darwin primary school teacher, who asked not to be named, said she had resorted to bringing her own hand sanitiser to work for personal use, while other teachers at her school were searching shops for supplies.

PARENTS should plan for schools to remain open in Term 2

It’s understood some school principals are frustrated with the Government’s continued assurances the schools have all the required hygiene supplies.

“We literally can’t get anything as it’s out of stock everywhere,” the teacher said.

“I’m feeling pretty anxious and uneasy about it all still being at school with no hand sanitiser, broken soap dispensers, nothing to wipe tables down.

“We’ve just been asked to be patient.”

The teacher said the school had “discussed maybe asking kids to bring in a toiletry bag with their own soap, a tea towel (we have no paper towel) and wipes for their desks”.

The teacher said while teaching remotely would “have its challenges”, “anything would be better than the current set-up”.

“Just feels like one big joke that schools are still open but only 10 people are allowed to attend a funeral,” she said.

In a statement earlier Wednesday, an Education Department spokesperson said they were expecting Term 2 to go ahead.

“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,” the spokesperson said.

“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.

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“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.”

There are still three weeks left of Term 1 in the Northern Territory.