Tasmanian schools - and parents – need certainty from Gutwein
After months of questioning from the Labor Party about the preparedness of Tasmania's schools to deal with COVID, the government still has no clear plan and has now without warning told parents classes next year may be delayed.
Shadow Education Minister Josh Willie said the Premier had today confirmed he was looking at pushing back the start date for schools in 2022.
"Mr Gutwein needs to clarify if this is because the government hasn't done the work to ready schools because he is yet to outline a specific funding commitment to ensure schools are prepared once COVID enters Tasmania," Mr Willie said.
"For months Labor has been asking important questions about keeping students and school staff safe but we are yet to seen the audit the Education Department undertook to see what ventilation and infrastructure upgrades are required.
"The statement made today by the Premier needs to be clarified. Tasmanians need to know if the school start date will be pushed back and parents need to be communicated with.
"Ensuring there aren't disruptions to Tasmanian children and their education should be of the highest priority.
"The Premier should clarify whether he is intending to delay the first term of school, release the Department of Education audit and be transparent about Tasmania's school preparedness."
Josh Willie MLC
Shadow Education Minister
