The start of the 2022 school year in Queensland will move from Monday January 24 to Monday February 7 to avoid opening schools during the predicted peak of the Omicron wave and to allow more time for children to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said modelling showed the likely peak of Omicron cases would be in the last week of January and the first week of February.
"This is a common sense move to avoid students heading back to primary or secondary school just as the rapidly rising number of Omicron cases in Queensland hits its peak," the Premier said.
"As the Chief Health Officer has said, there is no way to completely stop this virus from spreading. But we can take steps to protect the community – including our children – as much as possible.
"I know parents are concerned about sending children back to school at a time like this, so I want to assure them that delaying the start of the school year by just two weeks is a sensible solution.
"This is especially important to give more time to vaccinate 5-11 year olds, who become eligible to be vaccinated tomorrow, Monday January 10."
Education Minister Grace Grace said students would not miss any essential content due to the delayed start of term, with teachers to review lesson plans to deliver the curriculum accordingly.
Ms Grace said schools would still open on January 24 for vulnerable children and the children of essential workers.
"Principals will implement staffing arrangements to ensure only the minimum number of staff are on site, but we will ensure vulnerable children and children of essential workers can still attend," she said.
"This the first time most of us in Queensland are experiencing widespread community transmission of COVID-19, and it's challenging for everyone.
"I have been working closely with my Department and key stakeholders on a number of plans and scenarios for months, but the emergence of the Omicron variant has seen cases rise much more quickly than expected.
