❓ The Premier outlines arrangements for Term 2 in WA schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing parental choice, teacher support, and enhanced safety measures. The government is investing $43 million in cleaning and will review the arrangements after three weeks.
AnsweredQoN 245Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS —
SCHOOLS — ATTENDANCE
245. Mr T.J. HEALY to the Premier:
I refer to the arrangements that
were announced last week for the beginning of term 2 for WA schools.
(1) Can the
Premier outline to the house how these arrangements will support parents who
choose to either send their children to school or have them taught at home?
(2) Can the Premier advise the house
what will be expected of teachers during this time?
SCHOOLS — ATTENDANCE
245. Mr T.J. HEALY to the Premier:
I refer to the arrangements that
were announced last week for the beginning of term 2 for WA schools.
(1) Can the
Premier outline to the house how these arrangements will support parents who
choose to either send their children to school or have them taught at home?
(2) Can the Premier advise the house
what will be expected of teachers during this time?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Southern
River for the question.
(1)–(2) On
Friday, the state government announced the arrangements for the start of term 2.
I thank all our teachers and education staff across the state for their
commitment to teaching our children. I do not in any way underestimate the
dedication of our teachers and education staff and the great work they do
around Western Australia. These are uncertain and difficult times for
everybody, but I know it has been very stressful for staff in our schools. We
have been working very hard to get our schools ready for term 2. The issue of
schools has obviously been difficult for every government in Australia to grapple
with. Obviously, different states have different trends and circumstances, so
it means that different states will have a different approach at the start of
term 2.
The
health advice is very clear: the risk of transmission in schools is extremely
low. However, I know there are concerns in the community; I have heard
them. I am the father of three school-aged children and my wife is also a schoolteacher,
so I understand the concerns, but I assure all Western Australians that we are
following the best health advice. I can guarantee that approach will not
change. We would never do anything to compromise the health and safety of
students or staff. Having taken all that advice on board and indeed the
national principles agreed to by the national cabinet and announced by the
Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, on Friday, we came up with the following model,
which is consistent with the national principles. Next Tuesday, 28 April, will
be a pupil-free day. On Wednesday, 29 April, schools will be open for all parents and carers who choose to send
their children to school. It will be a matter of choice for parents.
This is in recognition that parents are best placed to make decisions about
what is best for their children. If parents do not feel comfortable sending
their children to school, for whatever reason, they will not be obligated to.
However, students in years 11 and 12 are strongly encouraged to attend school.
Parents and carers of children and
young people with complex medical needs are encouraged to seek medical advice
regarding their attendance at school. Those students at school will be taught
programs and timetables face to face. Students learning from home will be
provided with distance education resources and packages. Schools in a position
to do so will provide online support and teaching. But I want to stress that teachers are not expected to teach all three
modes at the same time; teachers will not be asked to teach students at
school and at home at the same time. The department will provide distance education
packages and resources for those schools that are unable to develop them.
Schools will do what works best for them and it will be left to individual
schools to make a range of decisions, driven by the number of students who turn
up at school. It may mean that students are not taught by their usual teacher
or in their usual classroom. It may mean that classes are split or combined, or
that areas are used that have not traditionally been classrooms; a range of
measures could be put in place.
The government is investing $43 million
to ramp up a rigorous cleaning regime in all WA public schools. This will enable cleaners to work continuously
throughout the day. That includes regularly cleaning and disinfecting
all high-contact items such as school play equipment. We support schools in
making decisions around staggered starts, break and meal times, and to help
them reduce contact in common areas and staffrooms, and even to close those
areas if necessary. Schools will be able to implement alternative arrangements
as required for vulnerable employees. As I said, if it is necessary to close
staffrooms, that is what will happen.
This
arrangement will be reviewed at the end of week 3, with a view to any changes
being made for week 4 if necessary. During those three weeks, I will
look at everything and how it is occurring. Week 4 of course starts on 18 May. This will all be very carefully
managed and schools will have a soft start to term 2. I want to reassure all parents and school staff that our
approach has been carefully considered and is based on the best health advice. We expect the soft start to
school this term to be the best approach for Western Australian schools
in term 2, 2020.
River for the question.
(1)–(2) On
Friday, the state government announced the arrangements for the start of term 2.
I thank all our teachers and education staff across the state for their
commitment to teaching our children. I do not in any way underestimate the
dedication of our teachers and education staff and the great work they do
around Western Australia. These are uncertain and difficult times for
everybody, but I know it has been very stressful for staff in our schools. We
have been working very hard to get our schools ready for term 2. The issue of
schools has obviously been difficult for every government in Australia to grapple
with. Obviously, different states have different trends and circumstances, so
it means that different states will have a different approach at the start of
term 2.
The
health advice is very clear: the risk of transmission in schools is extremely
low. However, I know there are concerns in the community; I have heard
them. I am the father of three school-aged children and my wife is also a schoolteacher,
so I understand the concerns, but I assure all Western Australians that we are
following the best health advice. I can guarantee that approach will not
change. We would never do anything to compromise the health and safety of
students or staff. Having taken all that advice on board and indeed the
national principles agreed to by the national cabinet and announced by the
Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, on Friday, we came up with the following model,
which is consistent with the national principles. Next Tuesday, 28 April, will
be a pupil-free day. On Wednesday, 29 April, schools will be open for all parents and carers who choose to send
their children to school. It will be a matter of choice for parents.
This is in recognition that parents are best placed to make decisions about
what is best for their children. If parents do not feel comfortable sending
their children to school, for whatever reason, they will not be obligated to.
However, students in years 11 and 12 are strongly encouraged to attend school.
Parents and carers of children and
young people with complex medical needs are encouraged to seek medical advice
regarding their attendance at school. Those students at school will be taught
programs and timetables face to face. Students learning from home will be
provided with distance education resources and packages. Schools in a position
to do so will provide online support and teaching. But I want to stress that teachers are not expected to teach all three
modes at the same time; teachers will not be asked to teach students at
school and at home at the same time. The department will provide distance education
packages and resources for those schools that are unable to develop them.
Schools will do what works best for them and it will be left to individual
schools to make a range of decisions, driven by the number of students who turn
up at school. It may mean that students are not taught by their usual teacher
or in their usual classroom. It may mean that classes are split or combined, or
that areas are used that have not traditionally been classrooms; a range of
measures could be put in place.
The government is investing $43 million
to ramp up a rigorous cleaning regime in all WA public schools. This will enable cleaners to work continuously
throughout the day. That includes regularly cleaning and disinfecting
all high-contact items such as school play equipment. We support schools in
making decisions around staggered starts, break and meal times, and to help
them reduce contact in common areas and staffrooms, and even to close those
areas if necessary. Schools will be able to implement alternative arrangements
as required for vulnerable employees. As I said, if it is necessary to close
staffrooms, that is what will happen.
This
arrangement will be reviewed at the end of week 3, with a view to any changes
being made for week 4 if necessary. During those three weeks, I will
look at everything and how it is occurring. Week 4 of course starts on 18 May. This will all be very carefully
managed and schools will have a soft start to term 2. I want to reassure all parents and school staff that our
approach has been carefully considered and is based on the best health advice. We expect the soft start to
school this term to be the best approach for Western Australian schools
in term 2, 2020.
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