Simmer down in school debate

The State Government’s announcement that there would be a staggered approach to children returning to school was met by criticism on both ends of the scale.

School gates will have a staggered reopening to grades as Queensland students head back to school following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. Picture: Scott Barbour

SOAPBOX: STUDENTS in Years 1, 11, 12 and Prep will be heading back through the school gates on Monday.

The State Government’s announcement this week that there would be a staggered approach to children returning to school was met by criticism on both ends of the scale.

The online comment sections of community board posts and media articles were filled with parents at each other’s throats. Some went as far as insinuating children were being sacrificed to the virus while others were angry that the education of remaining grades weren’t deemed as important and children were disadvantaged by being kept at home.

The opposition shared the view of the latter with LNP Leader Deb Frecklington saying schools should be open now and that holding kids back was hurting the economy. The reality is that most restrictions our governments made due to the coronavirus have hurt the economy — a sacrifice that has likely saved lives.

Reading parents’ enraged online rants has me questioning why they can’t see both sides of the argument and simmer down before taking to their keyboards. But I’m not a parent.

Students all have to head back to school at some point and what a tough job that will be to decide exactly when.

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