Teachers snubbed in vaccine rollout as new school plan announced

A controversial plan to send HSC students back to the classroom this month has been dumped amid the growing Covid crisis in NSW.

But with thousands of teachers still working face-to-face with students of essential workers, there’s urgent calls for vaccinations to be made a priority for those beyond the eight local government areas of concern.

As the state reported 291 new cases of Covid-19, the Premier announced Year 12 students would only have “limited” access to their schools for “essential” reasons from August 16.

It’s a major backflip from her position last week, when she said all Year 12 students would return to face-to-face learning – a decision fiercely opposed by teachers and some students.

Amber Flohm from the NSW Teachers Federation said she was “relieved sanity had prevailed".

But said she was “very concerned” many teachers are still struggling to get vaccinated.

“The issue is teachers have not been prioritised as essential workers,” she said.

Social media has been flooded with posts from teachers waiting weeks to get vaccinated or who have had their appointments cancelled, as doses were redirected to Year 12 students in Sydney hotspots.

“Why am I, a high school teacher from the locked down Parramatta LGA no longer considered eligible for my jab? This appt was made over 2 months ago!” posted one person.

Another said it was “an appalling situation”.

The Shadow Minister for Education Prue Car claims the government won’t even confirm how many teachers and support staff are still unvaccinated.

“To ensure schools are safe, the NSW Government needs to prioritise vaccines for teachers and school staff,” she said.

Ms Car said Qudos Bank Arena, which opens on Monday as a vaccination hub for Year 12 students in Covid hotspots, should be used to immunise teachers as well.

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New plan for HSC students as Covid crisis worsens

Year 12 students who live in Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Parramatta, Blacktown, Georges River and Cumberland won’t be returning to school anytime soon.

But as for students across the rest of Greater Sydney, they can access their schools for “essential” curriculum delivery and wellbeing support reasons under updated Covid safety plans from August 16.

This means the majority of students will remain learning remotely.

Schools will be provided with clear guidelines, minimise mixing between students and support physical distancing.

The flexible model will also see students sitting assessments and trial HSC exams from home.

Minister for Health Brad Hazzard urged students to get vaccinated, saying it is essential to our recovery.

“We strongly encourage every eligible student to take up the opportunity to protect themselves and their loved ones,” Mr Hazzard said.

The NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns raised concerns about the students in the eight LGAs of concern being disadvantaged as a result of the new model.

“We do not want a two-tiered HSC,” he said.

Mr Minns also slammed Mr Hazzard’s call to action for students to get vaccinated as “not good enough”

“That is not going to ease the stress, the anxiety and the fear many of them have this afternoon as they’re contemplating the next few months.”

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