COVID-19: no time for complacency
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 125 No 6, 14 August 2020, page no.13
Starting back at school after the winter holidays, some may have had a feeling of things returning to normal. Sure, the guidelines are still in place, physical distancing is still required, and hand sanitiser has become an essential resource, but school assemblies have recommenced, sport has restarted, and staff meetings are resurfacing. However, now is not the time for complacency.
If the infection rates and clusters in Victoria and New South Wales do nothing else, they highlight the need for vigilance rather than complacency.
But is Queensland prepared for a second wave? Our ability to move around the state has only just been restored and we have secured improved access for members in biosecurity locations. No one wants to return to the level of restrictions that were in place from the end of Term 1.
If there is a COVID-19 cluster discovered or we are hit by a second wave, it may look very different from Term 2. The QTU is currently working with the department on protocols for schools that may be closed for up to two weeks because of a known case of COVID-19.
Whatever action is taken should reflect a health and safety response and be cognisant of member wellbeing.
The experience in Queensland in recent weeks has taught us some useful lessons.
- Advice to schools, their community and QTU members and other employees needs to be clear and timely. Members can’t be left wondering if they are meant to self-isolate or are free to attend to things within their community (such as pick-up and drop-off of their own children) if a staff or community member is confirmed with COVID-19 and the school has to close for a deep clean. Additionally, they should also be advised of the expected timeframes of any deep clean that may be undertaken and what it entails.
- If members are advised of a known case of COVID-19, they should take their resources/devices (whatever they need for remote learning) home at the end of the day.
- Consultation with members is a necessity if a school is being closed. We must have an understanding of what remote learning looked like in Term 2 to inform how much time members need to prepare to provide remote learning again. Some schools will be well placed to provide online learning opportunities, others will not. An understanding of the form remote learning will take, e.g. paper based, virtual teaching, posting work to the learning place etc, is important in determining the time required to prepare for remote learning and how this can be supported if a school is closed for a deep clean.
- Shifting from face-to-face teaching to online or remote delivery is not easy. Teachers will need time to prepare and are likely to need two to three days, depending on the context.
- The curriculum plan and pedagogical framework of a school cannot be delivered during remote learning. Consequently, the department should establish processes to support a modified curriculum (eg maths, English, HASS and science) during this time.
- It is a requirement that online collaboration is allowed for across year levels and subjects. If a school closes due to a known case of COVID-19, teachers are unlikely to be able to collaborate as they did at the end of Term 1 and the beginning of Term 2. This collaboration assisted schools in sharing the load of the shift to remote learning.
- Members should receive advice about their ability to access special pandemic leave in the event of a school closure.
The above points are relevant where discrete workplaces are closed for short or long-term periods.
The department has developed a suite of communications that can be forwarded to school communities in the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19. In addition, each region has a COVID-19 coordinator who can assist school leaders in managing the issues.
Ultimately, the school principal is best placed to know their community and advise it in relation to any potential or known cases of COVID-19 as required.
However, scenario planning needs to be completed in relation to different circumstances that might arise, e.g. cluster outbreaks of COVID-19, going into complete lockdown etc.
The QTU’s response to this issue remains unchanged – any action taken needs to be in the best interests of the health, safety and wellbeing of members. We will continue to consult with the department and advise members should further issues arise.