Calls for teachers to be vaccinated

All school staff should have access to the COVID-19 vaccine before a return to face-to-face teaching, according to the Independent Education Union (IEU).

The IEU welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement that students in the eight tightly locked down local government areas would not yet be returning to school.

It said this is essential to ensure that the health and safety of staff and students is protected. The union also holds the view that students need not return for effective teaching and learning to occur.

Schools and early childhood centres need to be safe for staff required to work onsite. All staff should have access to vaccines and be protected from risk of harm as much as possible.

“Before any schools in Greater Sydney and the Hunter area can be opened for face-to-face teaching, all teachers and support staff in both primary and secondary schools, as well as early childhood settings, must be prioritised for vaccination,” said Mark Northam, Independent Education Union of Australia (IEUA) NSW/ACT Branch Secretary.

“Assessment and reporting for all students, not just those in Year 12, also needs to be part of the planning for the remainder of the year.

“The union welcomes longer-term thinking to address assessment and reporting issues for K–11 which schools will face in Term 4.

“Teachers, principals and other school staff know how schools work and must be consulted in order to ensure certainty and predictability for schools.”

The IEU, which represents teachers and support staff in the non-government education sector, calls on the government to work closely with the IEU and NSW Teachers Federation when making significant operational decisions regarding schools.

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