12 Oct 2021
ACT public schools are receiving an additional $5.7 million in funding to help manage the safe return of students and staff to on campus learning.
Canberra’s students have begun to return to our schools which are making a number of changes to minimise any potential transmission of COVID-19. These changes are based on ACT Health guidelines which were developed to help manage the safe return to school. The guidelines prioritise the health and safety of staff and young people, including their mental and emotional wellbeing, while also allowing students to continue their studies.
To help schools follow these guidelines, the ACT Government has made additional funds available for Term 4. These funds will pay for essential supplies like masks and hand sanitiser, improved ventilation, and additional staff, including more relief teachers.
The measures include:
- $2.9 million to improve ventilation in school rooms. Includes capital works, CO2 monitoring, increased maintenance for heating and cooling systems, and an anticipated increase in electricity bills.
- $1.5 million for additional relief teachers.
- $0.7 million to buy additional mask and hand sanitiser supplies for public schools, early learning centres and for low fee paying non-government schools.
- $0.5 million to prepare for additional shade structures in playgrounds. ACT Health has advised that schools should maximise outdoor learning to reduce potential transmission.
- $0.1m for additional senior psychologists to provide online counselling for students and staff.
The ACT Government is also working with the non-government school sector to assess the potential benefit of an early release of funds from an existing infrastructure program. These funds could be made available in coming months for new outdoor learning spaces.
The ACT Government will continue to follow the advice of health experts to ensure the safety of all of our public and non-government school communities and will consider any future costs as they arise.