Schools update: Term Two expected to start on skeleton staff

Victorian schools are expected to reopen for Term Two but most students are expected to continue their studies from home.

Only a few teachers will return to accommodate children of essential workers and vulnerable pupils.

The disruptions mean Year 12 students could have their VCE extended into 2021.

Sue Bell, president of the Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals, told Ross and John on 3AW that it’s the best way forward.

“I think probably that is going to be the most effective way of working at the moment, rather than what we were doing before where kids were still meant to be at school but teachers were planning the remote working.

“If we could move to that system now, I think we’re ready to deliver on it.”

Click PLAY to hear more from Sue Bell on 3AW Breakfast

Education ministers from across the country will meet tomorrow to determine the best way forward.

Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan said several options are on the table.

“There’s a lot of options. We’ve been talking to the universities for instance, and they’d be happy to look at a mix of what’s happened during the students assessments in year 11, and then look at what’s happened in year 12,” he told 3AW’s Neil Mitchell.

“There is the possibility that you could push back when exams are, so instead of them normally being in November back into December.”

Another option under consideration is lifting ATAR scores across the board.

Mr Tehan warned disruptions to education are likely to continue for many months.

“The Prime Minister has been very clear that he thinks it’s six months that we’re going to be living this new life that we’re all getting used, so it’s very hard to tell but the expectation would be for the next six months that we’re probably going to be looking at a different way of conducting schooling across the nation,” he said.

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