Students pour back in to hit books again

NINETY per cent of Queensland state school students spilled through the front gates into classrooms yesterday but experts say some parents would still choose to keep their kids at home during the health crisis.

More than 512,000 state school students, or about 90 per cent of all state school students, returned to schools yesterday after up to six weeks away.

The number is in line with 2019’s average daily attendance at 90.5 per cent in Queensland state schools.

Last week, 85 per cent of preppies, 83 per cent of year 1 students and 79.6 of both year 11 and 12 attended.

But Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Education Minister Grace Grace yesterday implored school staff, students and parents to stay home if they were unwell.

Ms Grace said it was great to see all the smiling faces as physical classes resumed for all school year levels yesterday.

“And the attendance rates show that those parents who can send their children to school, feel comfortable doing so,” she said.

“Once again I want to thank parents, principals, teachers, teacher aides and staff for their work over the past few months to get us back to normal classes this week.”

While all students are expected to return to school, if parents choose to keep their children at home over COVID-19 fears beyond medical reasons, parents are responsible for their learning at home, according to Department of Education guidelines.

USQ Education expert Tania Leach said parents might still choose to keep their child at home over family concerns.

“Parents who are in the position, are putting the decision of their health first until they can see what plays out,” she said.

“There’s big implications for it because schools won’t provide at-home learning for those students ... Parents are saying do I take that risk with my children? Do I keep them home and see if community contact cases increase and then I’ve made the decision for the health and wellbeing of my children.”