Why Tom Elliott fears the return of remote learning for Victorian schools

Tom Elliott says he fears remote learning will soon be back on the table for Victorian school students.

Despite assurances from government school will return as normal later this month, the 3AW Drive host said the state’s COVID-19 isolation requirements were highly likely to cause chaos.

“I don’t see how the school system can cope,” he said.

“It is odds-on that a big chunk of the teachers, if they haven’t had COVID already, will suddenly be confronted by class loads of little kids – the teachers will get infected.

“Under the current rules, once infected they have to stay home and isolate, even if they’re vaccinated.

“I think schools are going to collapse.

“Before long, only half their teachers will be able to come in and, sadly, I think what could happen is that the schools will have to regretfully announce we have to go back to remote learning.”

Press PLAY below to hear Tom Elliott explain

Georgie Dent, Executive Director of The Parenthood, said a recent survey which had some 3000 respondents found two-thirds of parents did not think it was safe for school to return as planned.

“And 62 per cent of parents said they are actually more worried about the health risks COVID poses to their children than they are about the disruption,” she said on 3AW Drive.

Press PLAY below to hear her discuss parent concerns