The State Government needs to be transparent about whether the school year will start as planned.
Shadow Minister for Education Josh Willie said it would be unfair not to let Tasmanians know well in advance if the school start date is going to be delayed.
“Education Minister Sarah Courtney needs to be clear about whether the government will delay the start to the school year,” Mr Willie said.
“Families have to plan ahead and working parents need to put alternative arrangements in place. If Minister Courtney doesn’t keep Tasmanians informed of the situation it won’t provide parents with the necessary assurances that the government can keep their kids safe at school.
“Today the Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that the return-to-school date for primary students will be pushed back if the outbreak is peaking when classes are due to start at the end of the month and Ms Courtney needs to let parents and teachers know if there are similar plans afoot in Tasmania.”
Mr Willie said Minister Courtney was still yet to answer key questions about the preparation of schools and she could provide assurances to concerned parents by answering the following questions:
“Will the Minister release the COVID safety schools audit carried out by her department earlier this year?
“Has Minster Courtney’s department carried out necessary upgrades, including her promise to ensure ventilation devices are installed and that windows are working in all schools?
“How much has the government spent on school upgrades and will every school be upgraded to be COVID safe on day one of Term One?
“What is the government’s plan to keep vulnerable students and students living with a disability safe and engaged in an inclusive curriculum?
“Will there be enough rapid antigen tests available to ensure students and staff are virus free?
“Will there be enough staff to keep schools operational?
“It is crucial the Minister is transparent with Tasmanians about this important matter. Parents want to keep their children engaged in education and safe – they also want to know if the school year will start on time.”
Josh Willie MLC
Shadow Minister for Education and Early Years
