Coronavirus: States divided on the time frame for reopening schools

State and territory governments have failed to reach a national consensus on reopening schools during term two.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says she was working towards reintroducing face-to-face teaching. Picture: AAP

State and territory governments have failed to reach a national consensus on reopening schools during term two, despite pleas from Scott Morrison to get classrooms back to full capacity.

The national cabinet on Thursday agreed to a seven-point strategy supporting schools, but approaches on reopening classrooms will vary between states and territories. Victoria and NSW, which experienced large spikes in COVID-19 cases and community transmission hotspots, have adopted more cautious positions on the timing for reopening schools.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was working towards reintroducing face-to-face teaching. “I have been saying that the first couple of weeks of term two will be the same arrangements (online learning),” she said.

“You need to make sure for teachers, parents and the school community that we put everything in place when we’re bringing back face-to-face teaching, which is something we will be doing in term two.”

The Prime Minister urged parents to follow the rules set out by states and territories but made it clear the advice from health experts was that schools, which remain open for children of essential workers and vulnerable families, were “a safe place for students”.

“This is a state and territory issue, I want to make this really clear. They (schools) are run by state governments. They set the policy, they set the rules,” he said.

“I think we do have to be very careful about the interaction between parents on drop-offs and pickups because that’s where the potential infection occurs, but those things can be addressed — I don’t think that’s something beyond the wits of most parents and schools.”

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee on Thursday night published advice provided to the national cabinet, outlining measures to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 in schools.

It said the two key principles for schools were to “help stop the spread and stay healthy” and “stay informed and supported”.

Australia’s chief health officers said physical distancing, risks to vulnerable populations in schools, hygiene, environmental cleaning, psychological wellbeing and communication were the key priorities for governments to consider when reopening schools.

The health advice says swimming pools must remain closed, teachers should maintain 1.5m ­social distancing from other staff members, and all school excursions, assemblies, sporting activities and large gatherings remain cancelled. Teachers are also being urged to conduct lessons outdoors or in environments with “enhanced ventilation”.

“Where possible, add flexibility to the work day by staggering start and finish times, recesses, lunch breaks and other key transition times when mixing may occur ­between classes and year levels,” the AHPPC advice says.

“Where possible, avoid close-proximity queuing and encourage increased space between students — for example, by placing markings on the floor.”

In the Northern Territory, students will return to school next week, while South Australia is also expected to have a high attendance rate. Queensland will review online learning ahead of week five of term two.

Students in Victoria, who returned this week, are being taught through distance education but Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton, said on Thursday he wouldn’t “rule anything in or out” in relation to schools reopening within a month.

“If we’ve driven numbers down to zero, that’s got to be on the cards,” he said.