The ACT Government is investing an additional $5.7 million in schools and early childhood education and care services to support the safe return of students and staff to on campus learning in term 4.
As schools prepare for this return, a number of practical health and safety measures will be in place to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission. These are in line with the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee advice and the Chief Health Officer’s Health Guidelines for Schools and Early Childhood Education Services (including OSHC).
The ACT’s return to school plan prioritises the health and safety of staff and young people, including their wellbeing, while also allowing students to continue their learning.
To help schools follow these guidelines, the government has made additional funds available for term 4.
The funds will pay for essential supplies like masks and hand sanitiser, improved ventilation, and additional relief teacher hours.
The measures include:
- $2.9 million to improve ventilation in ACT public schools. This includes building works, CO2 monitoring, increased maintenance for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and an anticipated increase in electricity bills.
- $1.5 million for additional relief teaching hours to support public schools to implement these COVID-safe measures, including covering staff absences and enabling staggered breaks.
- $688,000 to buy additional masks and hand sanitiser for public schools, early childhood education and care services and for low fee paying non-government schools.
- $500,000 for additional shade structures in ACT public schools. This will support schools to maximise use of outdoor learning spaces.
- Two additional senior psychologists to provide online counselling and support for ACT public school students.
The ACT Government is also continuing to work with the Catholic and independent school sectors on how it can support their infrastructure needs for a COVID-safe return to on-campus learning.
The ACT Government will continue to follow the advice of health experts to ensure the safety of all schools and early childhood education and care services and will consider any future costs as they arise.
