As of the 10th of July, there are 3,379 reported cases of COVID-19 in Victoria – we saw the greatest increase in cases that the country has ever seen (288 cases overnight) and yet, Victorian VCE students are set to return to school on the 13th of July.

This is unsafe, it puts teachers at risk, and it puts families at risk. 

Older students (senior years and VCE) have been marked as the most likely to spread the virus in schools. We have seen evidence of this in the Al-Taqwa College outbreak – now the largest cluster in Victoria as it is linked to 117 cases of COVID-19, including 51 students. 

On the topic, chief health officer Brett Sutton said:

“There seems to have been transmission in the school that was quite substantial. They are older kids. They tend to have more transmission. It’s … akin to adults if they are not doing the physical distancing appropriately, so that’s been a big cluster in terms of schools.”

And yet, this is the exact group of students that are being sent back onto public transport, into small classrooms and into schools where it is difficult to effectively practice social distancing. 

It is clear that while VCE students are not the most at risk from COVID-19, they can spread it to high risk family members and teachers. The guilt and anxiety of passing on a potentially deadly virus should not be placed on students, especially during the most stressful years of school. 

Moreover, VCE students are the most capable of managing at home learning. They are older and they don’t need their parent’s supervision.

It is clear that the risk now, to students, teachers and their families is far too high. Community transmission is now at a higher rate than when students were originally sent home in April. Who will take responsibility if this virus devastates school communities? 

It is time to see fast and responsible action from schools and the government. If there is any regard for the wellbeing of students and the health of their parents, grandparents and teachers, then schools must not open on the 13th of July.