Parents still waiting for basics to teach from home

Some Victorian parents are yet to receive the basics to enable their kids to learn from home.

The Premier said a month ago that internet access “should not determine a child’s access to education – so we will deliver free SIM cards or dongles to thousands of students,” however some vulnerable students are yet to receive them and are struggling to learn from home with no internet.

One mother who does not have internet at home, said while her children’s school had been helpful, she was still waiting to hear what was happening with internet dongles.

As a single parent, she continues to struggle to educate her seven children at home and is keen for schools to reopen.

While most states and territories are reopening or have plans in place to reopen their schools, Victoria is yet to indicate how schools will reopen or give parents any certainty for Term Two.

Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Education, Cindy McLeish:

“The State Government has been unable to protect our most vulnerable students from falling behind and ensuring that they have the basics.

“Andrews said it was the parents’ choice to send their kids to school, yet many continue to be knocked back, he said all students would have the basics to learn from home, that’s just not happening.

“At a time when other states around the country are either back at school or planning a return, Andrews needs to end parents’ concerns and tell Victorians how he plans to get our kids back in schools.”