Parents and teachers have finally got confirmation of when and how their children will return to school for face-to face-teaching.
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But NSW Teachers Federation senior vice-president Henry Rajendra said the plan for students attending public schools to progressively return to face-to-face learning in week three of Term 2, presented an "enormous logistical challenge for all our schools".
On Tuesday NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed every student will be attending school for one day a week from May 11.
"We will look to increase the number of days students are at school in a staged way and hope to have all children back at school full-time by Term 3," Ms Berejiklian said.
During the first stage of on-campus learning, parents will be encouraged to keep their children home except on their allocated day of face-to-face learning. Initially, about a quarter of a school's students are expected to be on site at any one time.
Classes will be split across schools, allowing schools to appropriately social distance students and teachers.
As always, schools will remain open for students who need them and no child will be turned away from school.
Wollongong resident Mr Rajendra said throughout this entire COVID-19 pandemic the union's actions have been motivated by one thing - "the health and safety of our students, our teachers and principals, all members of our school communities throughout NSW".
"We've always recognised that there would be a need to transition to a staged approach about students coming back, but what was announced today will be an enormous logistical challenge for all our schools.
"We would have preferred a model that had fewer students and of course fewer adults at school."
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell also stated that in addition to the staged return to school, the NSW Government had committed up to $95.7 million to help keep casual and temporary school staff engaged in active work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This pleased Mr Rajendra immensely.
"It was also nice to get improved cleaning and availability of cleaning products and hygiene sanitisation equipment for schools," he said.
Ms Mitchell said careful consideration had been given to support the school community, providing clarity and certainty on the path forward.
"Hand sanitiser will be available in all classrooms and provisions are in place for at-risk teachers to work from home. Drop off, pick up, recess and lunchtimes will also be staggered to ensure social distancing," she said.
Teachers will have an additional day to prepare for Term 2 on Tuesday 28 April making the first day of term for students Wednesday 29 April.
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
