By Emily-Rose Toohey
Students returned to in-person learning on Monday after a two-week delay to the start of the school year.
Education Minister Grace Grace said at Monday’s press conference that 870,000 Queensland students across the government and non-government sector returned to school.
“It’s been a very successful delay, we’ve had many parents who have said it’s enabled their children to get vaccinated – particularly the five to 11-year-olds,” Ms Grace said.
In accordance with the back to school Covid-safe guidelines announced last week, Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) will available at schools and masks are required.
“However, if you’re sick, please don’t come to school,” Ms Grace said.
“We will do all we can in these uncertain times to keep these schools as safe as possible.”
Despite these implemented safety measures, Queensland Education said it has seen a rise in home-schooling since the Covid-19 outbreak.
A home education report said that 3411 primary and high school students were home-schooled in 2019, 4297 in 2020, and 5008 in 2021.
The Department of Education’s Home Education Unit (HEU) oversees the home education registration and reporting process.
However, the department said it has not finalised its 2022 home-schooling numbers.
“So far, applications for the year foreshadow an increase, following a trend,” the Department of Education said.
Regarding in-person learning, Ms Grace said that more than 98 per cent of education staff in Queensland are now fully vaccinated.
“We will ensure over the next four weeks when we’re limiting movement, that we’ll keep an eye on our school communities – they’ll get the support that they need,” she said.
