In a back-to-school plan announced by NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet over the weekend, every student and teacher will be asked to take a rapid antigen test twice a week to attend school, but masks will be restricted to high school.
More than six million tests will be distributed to 3000 public, Catholic and independent schools across the state before the start of the term to ensure enough supply for the first two weeks of term.
Students will also be allowed to take part in choirs, music ensembles and overnight camps again, subject to Department of Education guidelines to reduce the risk of virus infection.
READ MORE: Angelo Gavrielatos says teacher vaccine rule will ‘add stress’ on the education system.
Premier Perrottet acknowledged that whilst there would be some “disruption” along the way, it was important for children to return to school on the first day of term.
“It’s best for educational outcomes, it’s best for mental health, and it’s best for social outcomes as well,” he said.
In response, the NSW Teachers Federation President, Angelo Gavrielatos, said his members were concerned for the health and safety of students and staff.
READ MORE: Reopening NSW schools early ‘won’t be without risk,’ Angelo Gavrielatos says.
He said masks should be mandatory for primary school children as well.
“You can’t be vigilant enough with these settings. No other industry requests you to be on a work site with hundreds and up to 2000 other people in sometimes poorly ventilated sites, which are classrooms with up to 30 students,” he said.
“We remain very concerned and we are bracing ourselves for a disruptive start to the school year.”
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald.
