Details on how local schools have prepared for Term 1 under current COVID-19 rules have been revealed by the WA government.
Premier Mark McGowan and Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery listed the measures as part of the Safe Return To School Plan.
The measures can be scaled-up if necessary.
“Face-to-face learning is our priority,” Ellery said.
“As of yesterday [Monday, January 24], 97.5 per cent of teachers have uploaded their vaccine information as required as part of the mandate, ahead of teachers returning from leave this coming Thursday.”
She added that the same will be required of external providers on school sites.
Parents do not need to show proof of vaccination to drop-off or pick up their children at school, attend assemblies and sports carnivals or have a parent-teacher interview.
WA’s plan includes the following measures for public schools:
– 12,000 air purifiers fitted with HEPA filters are being provided to schools state-wide, where required
– 1,500 monitors will be provided to schools state-wide to monitor classroom CO2 levels as required
– Enhanced cleaning services: increased frequency of cleaning of surfaces and equipment such as door handles and desks in classrooms
– Mask wearing: in line with the mask mandate currently in place for – Perth, Peel and the South West, masks will be worn by school staff and secondary students
– Vaccinations: staff and regular visitors must be double dose vaccinated, and receive a third dose within one month of becoming eligible. Students are encouraged to be vaccinated as soon as possible
– Hand sanitiser and face masks have been made available to schools (in case face masks are lost or broken throughout the day)
– Physical distancing of staff and other adults, where possible
– Learning contingency plans are in place for remote learning, if required, including hardcopy learning packages, access to online learning resources
– Arrangements to temporarily replace teachers and other school staff who are required to isolate due to COVID-19.
The full presser here:
