Highlights
- WA has made it mandatory for students to attend school
- Students across Australia to transition back to the classroom as COVID-19 cases fall
- Increased cleaning measures implemented at schools to reduce the risk of transmission
Western Australia, the largest state in Australia, with more than 800 schools has said students must attend school from Monday, May 18.
Except for students who are medically vulnerable or those who have a family member with chronic health issues, students who do not attend school will be marked absent, the WA Premier said.
“Students who remain away from school without good reason, will no longer be provided with learning packages and their absence will be marked as unauthorised,” WA Premier Mark McGowan said.
The announcement has left Perth-based Ratika Gupta worried.
Mother to 5-year-old Mishka, Ms Gupta has decided not to send her daughter to school for the time being.
“My daughter has Down syndrome and low immunity. She often falls sick. I am scared to send her to school at this time. Life is more important. I don’t mind even if she has to repeat a year,” Ms Gupta told SBS Hindi.
She has spoken to the school and plans to provide a medical certificate for her daughter to be exempted from attending school.
Ms Gupta is not alone.
Ratika Gupta with her daughter, Mishka. Source: Supplied
Parents across Australia have mixed feelings about sending their wards to school.
Charan Ahuja, mother of two school-going children in Western Sydney says that her concern about the safety of her children will not ease for the next few weeks.
“The major reason is the news we are getting from many countries about the second phase of coronavirus," she says.
New South Wales (NSW) has begun a managed return to school with students returning to face-to-face learning one day a week.
The number of days, students are at school will be increased in a staged way.
While children are being encouraged to learn from home for the rest of the days, schools will remain open for students who need them in NSW.
An empty school in Sydney during the pandemic. Source: AAP
Staggered opening planned for schools across Australia
Schools will resume in Victoria on May 26 for students in prep, grades 1 and 2 and years 11 and 12. All special schools will also return on this date. The remainder of students (grade 3 to year 10) will return to school on June 9.
Schools have resumed in Queensland for students in Kindergarten, Prep, Year 1, Year 11 and 12 students since May 11, with students in Years 2–10 to return on May 25.
In South Australia, schools have been open since the beginning of term 2 and students are encouraged to attend. However, remote learning is available for students who are kept at home.
Tasmania has announced staggering return-to-school dates with primary school students and those in Years 11 and 12 to return on May 25 and the rest to follow in June.
Public schools in the Australian Capital Territory returned to on-campus learning on May 18 for pre-school, kindergarten, year 1, 2, 7 and years 11 and 12. Year 3,4 and 10 students will return from May 25 and the remaining year levels of Year 5, 6, 8 and 9 will return on June 2.
Schools in Northern Territory have been open since Term 2 (April 20) with all students expected to physically attend school. However, where families elect not to send their child to school, the child is required to learn from home.
Schools are considered low-risk environments for COVID-19 with increased cleaning procedures being implemented to further reduce the risk of transmission.
Check out state-wise advice:
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store.
SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus
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