Monday, 13th April 2020
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said the State Government is continuing to send mixed messages around schools and fears the system announced today will create the haves and have nots.
“Parents and teachers need certainty and to open schools for some people and not for others is confusing many Queenslanders,” Ms Frecklington said.
“People just want clarity and certainty, partially open schools for some doesn’t provide that.
“It is out of touch for the Premier to say that if you don’t have a job, then you should home school your kids.
“That’s not good enough in Queensland, no child should be left behind.
“I fear many socio-economically disadvantaged kids are going to fall behind as the sad reality is there are many children who can’t afford to have breakfast at home, let alone an iPad to learn on.
“If kids have no choice but to do online learning from home for at least five weeks, the State Government needs to provide devices, quality internet access and printed materials.
“Many families are struggling at the moment and they can’t bear this additional burden alone.
“Coronavirus has cost us so much already, we can’t let it cost our kids a year of learning.”
LNP Shadow Minister for Education Jarrod Bleijie said he fears the state government’s decision will create a two-class system.
“We can’t have a system where those kids from disadvantaged backgrounds are left behind because they can’t go to school and can’t access the internet,” Mr Bleijie said.
“It just isn’t good enough for the state government to force our most disadvantaged kids to learn from home without printed materials, internet access and appropriate devices.
“Today’s announcement isn’t really an announcement at all, the Premier needs to be clear whether schools are open or not.
“The Premier has failed to listen to parents or teachers.
“With many families worrying about their jobs and how they will pay the bills, the last thing they need is mixed messages in their kids schooling.”
