Photo by Nicolas Weldingh
<p>Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced new social distancing guidelines for schools that have left educators in the dark about how governments can create a safe working environment for teachers, principals and support staff. </p>
<p>While Mr Morrison’s statement said that children have a low risk of infection or transmission of the COVID-19 virus, the National Cabinet has failed to provide advice as to how adult school employees can minimise the risk that the coronavirus poses to their health.</p>
<p>Australian Education Union Federal President Correna Haythorpe said that all governments must prioritise the needs of teachers, principals and support staff in any decisions about changing COVID-19 teaching arrangements.</p>
<p>“Schools are also workplaces that are full of adults. It is still not clear how governments expect schools to manage social distancing for adults. It is contradictory to have one set of rules for adults outside of the school gate and another inside,&#8221; Ms Haythorpe said.</p>
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<p>“All teachers, principals and support staff in schools across Australia are entitled to work in a safe environment, and it is the government’s fundamental responsibility to provide this.&#8221;</p>
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<p>Ms Haythorpe criticised the last-minute nature of Mr Morrison’s announcement, which threatens to throw Monday’s return to school for millions of school students into chaos.</p>
<p>“To announce the scrapping of school social distance guidelines on the Friday before students return to school in all states and territories is beyond comprehension.</p>
<p>“Several states have already implemented arrangements for remote learning and for the children of essential workers and those children who are more vulnerable. Mr Morrison’s comments will only add to the general confusion being felt by our members and by parents.”</p>
<p>“The Prime Minister’s statement said today that the COVID-19 social distancing recommendations are not ‘appropriate or practical in classrooms or corridors’, and yet children and their families in the community are still required to meet social distancing,” Ms Haythorpe said.</p>
<p>“We have sought, on behalf of our members, clear guidelines and resources for schools, TAFEs and preschools. Unfortunately, today’s statement does not provide clarity and is contradictory to the advice that has been given to the general community by the National Cabinet.”</p>
<p>“There is an important question to be asked of the National Cabinet. That is, has today’s backflip on school-based social distancing occurred because governments have failed to find a way to implement proper social distancing in schools and have instead put it in the too-hard basket?” Ms Haythorpe said.</p>
<h3><span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">In an interview with Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies on The Morning Show this week, </span><span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Minister for Education Dan Tehan argued that teacher unions need to consider that the medical expert panel guiding National Cabinet as so far led to Australia&#8217;s successful flattening of the curve and all along, the panel &#8220;has said that it is safe for our children to be at school, and for our teachers to be at school, with the proper protocols in place&#8221;.</span></h3>
<p>He also urged educators to consider that if schools do not reopen, &#8220;it’s going to be the most disadvantaged in our community – so, from low socio-economic backgrounds, those where English is only spoken as a second language, our rural communities, our Indigenous communities – it’s going to be those children that suffer the most.&#8221; His goal is to have all schools operating as normal by the end-of-May, if medical advisors give the all clear. </p>
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<p>We’ll see the education divide grow if we’re not careful. <br />
&#8211; Dan Tehan to <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies on The Morning Show</span></p>
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<h2>Victoria socially distances from Federal guidelines</h2>
<p>The Andrews government has rejected pressure from the Federal Government to reopen schools before the end of Term 2, arguing it would risk causing a new spike in coronavirus cases.</p>
<p>&#8220;Let me be very clear &#8211; particularly to the Federal Government, who do not run any schools &#8211; we will only transition back to face-to-face teaching for all students when that is the advice of the Victorian Chief Health Officer. Not a moment before,&#8221; Victorian Education Minister James Merlino said.</p>
<p>&#8220;What we are doing in combating this pandemic is working. But the situation is very fragile. A move back too early could see a spike in cases and a need to reimpose any restrictions we may have eased. I know this is hard &#8211; for parents and carers, students and educators.&#8221;</p>
<p>Nationally, the COVID-19 social distancing guidelines for schools announced on Friday by Prime Minister Scott Morrison provide little clarity about how governments are going to ensure a safe working environment for teachers, principals and support staff.</p>
<p>While Morrison’s statement said that children have a low risk of infection or transmission of the COVID-19 virus, the National Cabinet has failed to provide advice as to how adult school employees can minimise the risk that the coronavirus poses to their health.</p>
<p>AEU federal president Correna Haythorpe said that all governments must prioritise the needs of teachers, principals and support staff in any decisions about changing COVID-19 teaching arrangements.</p>
<p>“The updated guidelines do not provide a solution in terms of creating a safe environment for teachers, principals and support staff in schools,” Haythorpe said.</p>
<p>“Schools are also workplaces that are full of adults. It is still not clear how governments expect schools to manage social distancing for adults. It is contradictory to have one set of rules for adults outside of the school gate and another inside.</p>
<p>“All teachers, principals and support staff in schools across Australia are entitled to work in a safe environment, and it is the government’s fundamental responsibility to provide this.”</p>
<p>Haythorpe criticised the last-minute nature of Morrison’s announcement, which threatens to throw Monday’s return to school for millions of school students into chaos.</p>
<p>“To announce the scrapping of school social distance guidelines on the Friday before students return to school in all states and territories is beyond comprehension,” Haythorpe said.</p>
<p>“Several states have already implemented arrangements for remote learning and for the children of essential workers and those children who are more vulnerable. Mr Morrison’s comments will only add to the general confusion being felt by our members and by parents.</p>
<p>“The Prime Minister’s statement said today that the COVID-19 social distancing recommendations are not ‘appropriate or practical in classrooms or corridors’, and yet children and their families in the community are still required to meet social distancing,” Haythorpe said.</p>
<p>“We have sought, on behalf of our members, clear guidelines and resources for schools, TAFEs and preschools. Unfortunately, today’s statement does not provide clarity and is contradictory to the advice that has been given to the general community by the National Cabinet.”</p>
<p>“There is an important question to be asked of the National Cabinet. That is, has Morrison&#8217;s backflip on school-based social distancing occurred because governments have failed to find a way to implement proper social distancing in schools and have instead put it in the too-hard basket?” Haythorpe said.</p>
<p>Haythorpe said that the Prime Minister and the National Cabinet needed to prioritise the phased implementation of a return to normal business for schools.</p>
<p>“Countries such as Norway are showing how an organised, phased implementation process for returning to school can work,” Haythorpe said.</p>
<p>“Teachers are working incredibly hard to ensure a high-quality education is provided to all students and they need governments at all levels to respect and support them, and to provide resources, including appropriate sanitation and cleaning requirements.&#8221;</p>

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