While schools have been kept open for the children of essential workers or those who cannot support their children's learning, as of Monday parents have been asked to keep their kids home if possible.

By the end of last week attendance across state schools had dipped below 50 per cent and on Tuesday the Department of Education confirmed the preliminary attendance rate for both primary and secondary schools on Monday was 12 per cent.

Term 1 will wrap up early at the end of this week, with four student-free days set for next week to allow teachers extra time to prepare for the online delivery of the curriculum when school resumes after Easter.