Parents have accused Queensland's Education Department of making heavy-handed threats to force kids to go to school during the coronavirus emergency.

In one case, a regional primary school student who has serious, long-standing health problems - and faces increased risks from respiratory illnesses - was told he must provide proof of illness for being absent during the crisis.

Kevin Bates from the Queensland Teachers' Union says he supports the government's decision to keep schools open.

In another case, a second regional mum who decided to keep her healthy child out of school was told that fear of coronavirus infection was not a valid excuse for absence.

That mother was also told her child would fail a missed exam unless proof of illness was produced.

In a third case, a mum who told her Brisbane school her kids were away because she was scared they would catch coronavirus on the bus was told that position was unjustified.

"Please be aware that as the school has not been closed the students will require a medical certificate if absent for more than 3 days. Or absences will be classed as unjustified as per Dept of Education directions," the school said in a text seen by AAP.

In one case, a mother who decided to keep her healthy child out of school was told that fear of coronavirus infection was not a valid excuse. Virginia Star VAS

There has been much debate in Australia about the federal government's decision to keep schools open, as cases of the virus continue to climb.

Some within the education sector, including the Queensland Teachers' Union, have said it's impossible to implement government advice on social distancing in crowded school settings.

The mother of the regional primary school student with long-standing serious health issues has spoken to AAP.

She does not want to be named and does not want to identify her school, which she says has always been supportive and understanding of her child's complicated health situation.

She said the school principal seemed "embarrassed" this week when he handed her Education Department advice demanding she produce medical evidence to explain her son's absence after coronavirus surfaced in their area.

"He was actually quite sheepish, embarrassed, saying: 'I'm really sorry but I have to get something in writing'," the mum said.

"Every family that's making decisions about what is right for their children is now going to be asked for medical evidence, or they'll be marked as an unauthorised absence."

"It's just heavy-handed, that's what it is. Bring it on Education Queensland, if you want to query me about why my kid's not at school."

Education Department advice to schools says students being kept home on the basis of medical advice are to be listed as absent for an "acceptable reason" and won't have their time away listed on their report cards.

But schools have been directed to "request documentary evidence of the medical practitioner's advice".

It also says that students who are being kept at home as a precaution should be marked as "unauthorised" absentees.

"These absences are not considered a reasonable excuse based on current health advice," the directive to schools says.

Bridget Burton is the director of human rights and civil law at Brisbane's Caxton Legal Centre.

She says that under Queensland's Education (General Provisions) Act of 2006 parents are obliged to ensure their kids attend school, unless there is a "reasonable" excuse.

If they don't, parents can be hit with hefty fines. But even outside a pandemic emergency like this one, she said that rarely happened.

Ms Burton believes the risk of parents being fined for non-attendance due to coronavirus fears is extremely low.

AAP sought comment from Education on Wednesday and had not received a response.

AAP