CORONAVIRUS —
SCHOOLS — STATE SCHOOL TEACHERS' UNION
354. Hon DONNA FARAGHER to the Minister for Education and
Training:
I refer to the answer given to
question without notice 320 asked on 2 April 2020 about the letter sent to the
minister from the State School Teachers' Union of WA on 27 March 2020
regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
(1) Has the
minister now responded to the letter? If yes, will the minister table a copy of
her response; and, if not, why not?
(2) What is the
minister's response to each of the issues raised in the union's
''Summary of SSTUWA issues in relation to Term 2 school operations''
which was released on 9 April 2020?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. I begin by thanking all of those school staff who
worked diligently until the end of term 1.
(1)–(2) No, a response is in progress. I meet regularly
with the State School Teachers' Union of WA to discuss its views on a range
of education-related issues, including COVID-19—as the member might
imagine, there has been practically daily contact over the past couple of weeks—and
the impact on schools. I am aware of its position regarding term 2 operations
and its views are considered by this government as decisions are made. As has been widely reported, the national cabinet
met today to discuss measures for schools. An announcement about
how WA schools will operate in term 2 will be announced shortly. All decisions
continue to be made on expert health advice, with the safety of school staff
and students the number one priority.