Teachers’ unions threaten classroom boycott over Scott Morrison’s open schools edict

Teachers’ unions have threatened to boycott classrooms during the pandemic after slamming Scott Morrison’s ‘deeply offensive’ plan to treat them like ‘babysitters’.

Students attend a class. Picture: AAP

Teachers’ unions have threatened to boycott classrooms during the pandemic after slamming Scott Morrison’s “deeply offensive’’ plan to treat them like “baby-sitters’’.

The Prime Minister on Thursday announced teachers and childcare workers would be exempt from close contact isolation rules. In Canberra, Mr Morrison also demanded schools stay open through the Omicron wave to stem further workers shortages.

“If schools don’t open, that can add an additional 5 per cent of the absenteeism in the work force,” he said. “It is absolutely essential for schools to go back safely and remain safely open if we are not going to see any further exacerbation of the workforce challenges we are currently facing.”

Queensland has delayed the first term of school by two weeks to pass the projected peak of Omicron in early February, but NSW plans to open on schedule.

Australian Education Union president Correna Haythorpe blasted national cabinet’s decision and said it would let teachers and other school staff continue working even if they had been exposed to Covid-19. “As a consequence, the AEU would advise our members that if they feel vulnerable as a close contact or they are worried about the potential risk to others, they should not be going into a school environment,’’ she said.

Ms Haythorpe said schools should get priority access to rapid antigen tests, with “clear and consistent testing, tracking and isolating protocols and procedures to manage staff shortages’’.

She said teachers, parents and students had expected Mr Morrison to unveil a national back-to-school plan after national cabinet on Thursday. “All the Prime Minister provided was an announcement that there would be another announcement, delivered within a frame that says schools must be open to provide a babysitting service for the broader workforce.

“This is deeply offensive and shows no respect for the thousands of dedicated and professional teachers, principals and education support staff who have worked incredibly hard to provide a high-quality education during the extremely difficult circumstances of the pandemic.

“They put the needs of students first – it is unfortunate that the Prime Minister has not.’’

The Independent Education Union of Australia’s NSW/ACT branch said exempting schools and childcare centres from isolation rules could result in more school closures and disruptions.

The union’s acting secretary, Pam Smith, said teachers would be forced to work knowing they could infect others, or carry the illness to their own families.