For our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here.

Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Public gatherings curbed, people working from home and borders effectively closed. The response to the coronavirus pandemic has been overwhelming and inescapable as governments seek to contain the spread. Yet Australia's primary and secondary schools – where about 3.9 million children gather every weekday – remain largely open. Despite growing community anxiety and many parents pushing for closures, governments are standing firm. Why is that? Why wouldn't we keep kids at home to help "flatten the curve"? What are the dangers and merits of remaining open as opposed to closing? Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video What is Australia's approach right now? Australia's federal and state governments unanimously agree that schools should remain open for now. While some private schools are independently deciding to switch to remote learning and many parents are keeping their kids at home, public schools are not shutting their doors. As of March 18, the national cabinet of Prime Minister Scott Morrison and state and territory leaders have agreed that "pre-emptive closures are not proportionate or effective as a public health intervention to prevent community transmission of COVID-19 at this time".


This position is based on the unanimous advice of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, made up of federal and state medical and health officers, which has said the virus poses a "minimal" health risk to people younger than 19 and closing schools would, in fact, harm the overall pandemic response. Some schools have temporarily closed in response to positive cases among their staff or students. What's the reason for making that call? Nearly 4 million children going home would mean 15 per cent of the broader workforce and 30 per cent of the healthcare workforce – nearly a third – might need to take time off to look after their kids. More vulnerable demographic groups, such as elderly grandparents, might be exposed to COVID-19 as they step in to babysit. Community transmission might increase if students spend time in social settings rather than school. Loading Overseas data shows children are significantly less susceptible than adults to the coronavirus disease, unlike influenza and other respiratory viruses, says Peter Collignon, an infectious diseases physician and Australian National University professor. "Unless things change, the available modelling suggests that closing schools may do more harm than good," he says. "There's pros and cons but that's my view of the data currently." National chief medical officer Brendan Murphy says it is still unclear if children are a serious vector for transmission while being asymptomatic or showing mild symptoms "so we need to make sure that our schools are made as safe as possible" by ensuring sick students and staff stay away.


Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian have said parents should keep a close eye on their children's health and keep them home if they are unwell or showing potential COVID-19 symptoms. Professor Collignon says data from China and South Korea suggests children there have not posed a significant risk as vehicles for transmission, with adults more likely to infect children rather than the other way around. He argues protecting vulnerable older people must be the priority and, if children are found to be significant carriers, then the solution is for them to be isolated from older people. Morrison and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews have also warned that school closures would need to be sustainable for six months or more to be effective in containing the virus. "That means the disruption that would occur from the closure of schools around this country – make no mistake – would be severe," Morrison has said. "Tens of thousands of jobs could be lost, if not more. The impact on the availability of health workers? A 30 per cent impact on the availability of health workers is our advice. That will put people's lives at risk." Loading There are also educational equity concerns in the discussion around school closures. While wealthy private schools have the capacity to roll out online learning, it may be more difficult in the public school system. Schools may not have adequate resources and disadvantaged students would face a range of barriers to effective learning at home, with some not having internet or computer access. A compromise model suggested by some would involve removing as many students as possible from school but keeping campuses open for those students who need to come in, whether they require internet or have parents working in essential services. However, this hybrid approach would also present logistical challenges for educators.


Does everyone agree with the current strategy? Some medical experts believe that mass school closures should be considered as part of a comprehensive social distancing strategy to contain the spread of the virus. "The pros of shutting schools are that this may increase the social isolation in the community and delay the spread of the virus," says Sarath Ranganathan, head of paediatrics at the University of Melbourne, suggesting mass closures should be examined. He says it could ease the burden on the healthcare system, especially as we approach winter when other illnesses will spike. A new research paper from Imperial College London said school and university closures combined with population-wide social distancing and home isolation of cases were the key elements of a "minimum policy for effective suppression" of the virus. However, the researchers note this might not be possible in many countries and the strategy would need to be in place for at least 18 months, until a vaccine is developed, and it would carry "enormous social and economic costs which may themselves have significant impact on health and well-being in the short and longer-term". But there are also growing concerns that many Australian schools do not have adequate facilities for students to follow important advice on hand-washing and that social distancing rules are not feasible in packed classrooms. NSW Teachers Federation president Angelo Gavrielatos has said inconsistent and unclear advice is causing "considerable stress" for teachers and it is unfair they are left "carrying the can". There are particular concerns for older staff and those with vulnerable immune systems, who are at greater risk from COVID-19. Defying official advice, some independent schools are closing their campuses. Ashleigh Martin, principal of Caulfield Grammar School in Melbourne, said "these are uncharted waters and our approach [to suspend classes] aims to provide our community with stability and surety in these uncertain times". Other private school principals have told their communities they can implement effective online learning and social distancing was impossible on campuses. Could the government's view change?


Officials say the official medical advice is currently "unequivocal" but have explicitly stated they are prepared to put in place widespread school closures if the advice evolves. Schools are preparing for the possibility of closures. Victorian Education Minister James Merlino has said school communities would be informed immediately if doors were to shut. "In the meantime, we are well underway preparing to ensure students can learn from home." NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant has said "school closures may still be considered late in the outbreak in anticipation of a peak in infection rates, for a shorter period of time". "Short-term reactive" interventions might also be needed for cleaning and contact tracing in certain cases. Loading What are other countries doing? The national cabinet was advised by medical officers that more than 70 countries had put in place school closures in response to COVID-19 but "the majority of these have not been successful in controlling the outbreak" and some were reconsidering the approach. Morrison pointed to the experience of Singapore, which has kept schools open while experiencing success in containing the virus. The Singaporean government has warned the closure of schools would be a "major, major decision" and would "disrupt many lives". However, Singapore has also implemented daily temperature and health checks at schools – not a measure currently in place in Australia.


In the United States, tens of thousands of schools have closed across the country, affecting 30 million students. California governor Gavin Newsom has said schools in his state are unlikely to reopen by the end of their school year in mid-2020. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said short-term closures had no benefit while there "may be some impact" from longer-term closures – although other measures, including proper hygiene and home isolation, were more powerful. Sign up to our Coronavirus Update newsletter Get our Coronavirus Update newsletter for the day's crucial developments at a glance, the numbers you need to know and what our readers are saying. Sign up to The Sydney Morning Herald's newsletter here and The Age's here. Meanwhile, most schools will close in Britain from March 20, along with nurseries and colleges, until further notice, although some will be asked to stay open to support the children of essential workers such as health care employees. "I know the situation has become increasingly challenging," British Education Minister Gavin Williamson told Parliament. "I said before that if the science and the advice changed such that keeping schools open would no longer be in the best interests of children and teachers that we would act. We are now at that stage. The spike of the virus is increasing at a faster pace than anticipated." – with wires