A new plan to return every student to school sooner

Today, the Victorian Liberal Nationals announce a new plan to safely return every Victorian student to the classroom by 25 October 2021.

After six devastating lockdowns, students, families and school communities have been pushed to the limit.

Victorian students have lost up to 161 days of school – the most of any state in the nation – and have struggled through seven consecutive disrupted school terms.

Victoria needs a new path forward to begin to rebuild our children’s education, mental health and social wellbeing.

As part of the Victorian Liberal Nationals Reopen, Rebuild, Recover Plan, all Victorian students will return to face-to-face learning on the below schedule;

• From Monday 11 October – all regional students, unless within a locked down LGA.
• From Monday 18 October – staggered return of all metropolitan students.
• From Monday 25 October – all students back to school full time.

This timeline aligns with the existing ​state government requirement for all school staff to receive at least ​one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination and projected achievement of the National Cabinet 70​ per cent double vaccinated threshold. 

Furthermore, this plan to return ​students to the classroom will be supported by a range of common sense hygiene measures including; hand sanitiser and handwashing stations, density limits in common areas, physical distancing, rapid testing, treating schools as bubbles​, managing campuses on a case-by-case basis, appropriate ventilation and conducting classes outside where appropriate.

Under the Liberal Nationals Plan, all Victorian students will return to full time learning in the classroom at least two weeks earlier than will occur under Daniel Andrews’ current roadmap.

With a common-sense plan in place, we can safely bring forward the return of face-to-face learning and start to get our students’ education and mental health back on track sooner.

“After up to 161 days of home schooling, students, families and school communities have been pushed to the limit.

“Our positive plan means an end to home schooling and a return to classrooms weeks earlier.”

Leader of the Opposition, Matthew Guy

“When it comes to rebuilding our kids’ education and mental health, every day counts.

“With appropriate measures in place and a common sense plan, we can get our kids back into the classroom sooner.”

Shadow Minister for Education, David Hodgett