35 of the nation’s top academics, doctors and community leaders have penned an open letter calling on Australian governments to open schools to face to face learning on time, in spite of QLD’s move to delay the start of the school as COVID-19 surges throughout the state.
QLD’s currently stands alone in its delay to the school year with both Victoria and NSW committing to opening schools on time, and South Australia planning to announce its plans on Friday.
The letter insists that the disease is mild in children and that the detriments to a child’s health for not being in school are greater than the possibility of severe illness as a result of COVID-19.
QLD has cited the risk of staff shortages as being another reason for the delay as well as potential outbreaks posing a risk to both staff and children.