Most kids at school

TWO thirds of all Northern Territory kids attended school in the first week of term 2, as the NT remained the only jurisdiction in Australia to return to the physical classroom amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Preliminary NT Government data, seen by the Sunday Territorian, revealed 20,550 students, or about 61.5 per cent of total enrolments attended school on the first day of term 2. The number rose to 22,600, or about 67.6 per cent, by Thursday.

TWO-THIRDS of all NT students attended school in the first week of term two, as the Territory remained the only jurisdiction in Australia to return to the physical classroom amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Preliminary NT Government data, seen by the Sunday

Territorian, revealed 20,550 students, or about 61.5 per cent of total enrolments, attended school on the first day of term two. The number rose to 22,600, or about 67.6 per cent, by Thursday.

In comparison, average attendance in government schools in 2018-19 was about 76 per cent.

Staff attendance was 91.7 per cent, on par with normal levels.

The NT Government has maintained, based on Australian Health Protection Principal Committee advice, that schools are safe to stay open and if Territory students don’t attend a “please explain” would be asked of their parents.

Chief medical officer Brendan Murphy on Friday declared classrooms posed no risk, prompting Prime Minister Scott Morrison to urge the other states and territories to urgently reopen schools.

Education Minister Selena Uibo said families continued to have the choice to educate their kids at home.

“That’s OK – we trust that parents and carers know what is best for their children,” she said.