Illawarra teachers are sounding the alarm over "embarrasingly inadequate" cleaning and sanitation supplies at public schools, despite government assurances of heightened measures as many students prepare to return to the classroom.
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Undersized and strangely composed deliveries of "motel soap", hand sanitizer and other provisions have done little to reassure teachers as they prepare for a staggered return to state classrooms from Monday, according to the NSW Teachers Federation. Duncan McDonald, the federation's Wollongong organiser, said he was especially concerned about schools for students with special needs, where teachers' duties could include toileting, feeding and tube-feeding.
He said one Illawarra school for specific purposes (SSP) with more than 100 students, had received 20 pieces of "hotel soap", two pairs of goggles, 14 disposable aprons (all sized XXXL) 14 bottles of hand sanitiser and a single empty spray bottle. Another school that specifically requested face shields was sent a single shield. One teacher told of receiving soap at a school that had no soap holders.
Numerous teachers had reported inadequate deliveries of hand sanitiser and no increase in the amount of cleaning hours being done at their school.
"I'm getting lots of calls from teachers quite concerned about the level of cleaning and hygeine," he said. "As one teacher described it, the level of essential supplies that were at the school were embarrassingly inadequate."
Mr McDonald said cleaning standards had diminished at many schools after the industry was privatised two decades ago. His own former school, in western NSW, had gone from eight to three cleaners in that time.
In a statement, a spokeswoman for the Department of Education said it had enough supplies to adequately stock all schools, and that provisions already sent would not be the last.
"Schools should not expect to receive a bulk supply at the beginning of term two, but should expect regular manageable deliveries of items throughout the term."
"Approximately 4000 deliveries are currently being made each week around the state, and these deliveries are expected to continue for as long as needed."
The spokeswoman said Illawarra schools had all received at least one delivery of supplies, and that schools could "escalate" any specific request. "Schools are also able to locally purchase supplies such as soap and hand sanitiser, if available."
"Where schools have been unable to source these supplies, the department will continue to purchase and coordinate the distribution of soap and hand sanitiser to schools where it is required.".