By Cam Lucadou-Wells
“If you can learn at home, you must learn at home.”
And so, Premier Daniel Andrews has announced Covid-19 protection measures extending to Victorian school students.
But for limited exceptions, students from government and non-government schools will learn from home from Wednesday 15 April for the entire Term 2.
Mr Andrews said the halt to Victoria’s 1 million school students travelling to school was critical to stop the “rampant spread” of Covid-19.
“I know this year will be different to any that students, teachers and families have experienced before – but we are making sure that our kids still get the education they deserve.
“I’m asking a lot from Victorians but it is working.”
Most teachers will also work from home, with a small number – without underlying health issues – to teach on-campus.
As of 7 April, Victoria had 1191 reported coronavirus infections. In signs of a slowing viral spread, 33 new cases were recorded for the past 24 hours.
One additional patient has died from the disease in the past day, bringing the state’s toll to 11.
Community transmissions have risen to 93 – up by 5 in the previous day.
Education Minister James Merlino said free internet access and laptops would be available to students in need. All students’ learning needs would be supported, he said.
“We will provide a device to every child that needs one and provide thousands more with free internet.” There were no “hard and fast rules” on student exemptions from remote learning, Mr Merlino said.
He cited students whose parents can’t work from home such as those in supermarkets, emergency services or health care.
Or the students may have special needs such as living in out-of-home care or disabilities that require on-campus learning, Mr Merlino said.
Year 12 VCE and VCAL students will complete their school years by December, but it would be a “different” year, Mr Merlino said.
The GAT test will move from June to October or November, and end of year exams postponed until at least December. The exam schedule may be compressed, with shorter exams.
School-based assessment tasks (SATs) will be reduced.
Universities may be required to delay the start of their 2021 courses.
Mr Andrews praised Victorians for staying home but warned of the need for a “long-haul” effort to curtail Covid-19’s spread.
“Things can change rapidly. We’ve seen that in other parts of the world and other parts of the nation.”
