Students left shivering due to baffling COVID-19 precaution at schools

Students across the state are shivering through another icy day, with many schools ordering that windows in classrooms remain open to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading.

Shaylan, 14, says students at her Gisborne school have to “move the tables a lot of the time just to stay dry”.

“It’s freezing constantly,” she told Tony Jones.

Lillian told Tony Jones her daughter, who is in year 10 at a government school in Rowville, had her puffer jacket confiscated earlier this week because it was not part of the school uniform.

“She’d already messaged me prior to this to say that she’s absolutely freezing – there’s no heating in the classroom,” she said.

“No parka unless it’s a school parka, which is not warm, and my daughter said all the teachers have their puffer jackets on!”

The Premier’s Office has told 3AW Mornings there’s no directive instructing schools to leave windows open. They can turn on air purifiers instead.

Health Department guidelines encourage schools to “consider opening windows and doors intermittently for short durations, for example for 10 minutes every hour” if the weather conditions do not permit windows to be kept open.

Press PLAY below to hear parents and students sharing their concerns