Editorial: School’s back – so take a bow, parents

While all students are now being welcomed back through the school gates, things will not immediately go back to normal.

THE coronavirus pandemic has affected just about every aspect of our lives and education is no different, but today our students take an important step back towards normality.

From today, primary school and Year 11 and 12 students return to classrooms, and those in Years 7 to 10 will be back in two weeks.

Teachers and parents deserve our praise for ensuring that the education of children during this unprecedented time was impacted as little as possible.

For teachers, the logistical challenge of meeting the individual learning needs of students by distance for such a prolonged period should not be underestimated.

Meanwhile, parents should be applauded for their commitment in keeping their children on track with their schoolwork, despite many having to work from home at the same time.

Mercury cartoonist Christopher Downes’ take on the return of students to school.

While the unusual circumstances have allowed some bonus quality family time, many parents would be breathing a sigh of relief that some sense of normality is returning.

And with just one new confirmed case in Tasmania in the past two weeks, parents and teachers should be confident it is safe to send their children to school.

Health advice at a federal level has also continually reiterated that there was limited evidence of transmission of the virus between children in a school environment.

At one stage, physical attendance by students in Tasmanian Government schools reduced to less than 10 per cent as parents were encouraged to keep their children home where possible.

A group of parents — including essential workers unable to work from home — had no choice but to send their children to school. And while all students are now being welcomed back through the gates, things will not immediately go back to normal.

Most of the state’s children will return to school from today as coronavirus restrictions begin to ease.

Teachers face a significant challenge in making sure their students — each with their own learning needs — catch up on what they may have missed. It is a task for which we know they are well equipped and capable of fulfilling.

Consecutive weeks of distance learning will have had varying impacts on different students, and many will require additional support.

In some ways, it is akin to starting the school year again, just like what occurs after the summer holidays.

But like many other aspects of life during the coronavirus, in no way will it be business as usual in traditional school settings.

The importance of handwashing and hygiene will be magnified within schools and increased cleaning and a plentiful supply of hand sanitiser will be a reality indefinitely.

Assemblies, school trips and inter-school activities have been scrapped as a way to limit social contact where possible. Meanwhile, there will be increased management of drop-off and pick-up zones to support physical distancing requirements.

We thank teachers, parents and students for their tireless efforts and commitment to learning during this unprecedented challenge and wish everyone well as students return to classes today.