Public school teachers who chose not to reveal their vaccination status to the government and remained on full wage, who may be unvaccinated against COVID-19, are returning to work at public schools today.
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Education department secretary Tim Bullard sent an email to staff on Friday stating that the unvaccinated teachers would be returning to work.
Angry staff who are opposed to the return of those teachers believe it is an equality issue, where the unvaccinated teachers failed to follow a Public Health directive but continued to be paid and will now keep their job despite staff across the sector being told they would be fired without proof of vaccination.
A education department spokesperson said a review of the risk management plan concluded that it was no longer practicable or reasonable for staff to provide proof of vaccination in a health and safety context.
"Staff who didn't provide evidence of vaccination status, under the COVID-19 vaccination policy or a Public Health direction were suspended or stood aside from duty," they said.
"They will now be able to return to the workplace while existing conduct processes are progressed and finalised."
Australian Education Union state president David Genford said safety issues around the return of unvaccinated staff had not been fully explained.
He said government had shown little respect to principals and educators regarding the teacher vaccination issue.
"Once again, principals and educators haven't been shown the respect of proper planning, listening and consultation," Mr Genford said.
"The minister and department of education need to be able to explain why we are in this situation. We are disappointed with the 'consultation process' and feel there has not been clear communication showing that it is safe for unvaccinated staff to return to work."
At the start of Term 1 more than 85 teachers had not shown proof of vaccination, and by June there were 22 teachers who were suspended from duty and still on full pay.
It is likely these staff that will be returning to work after the vaccination requirement for public sector workers ended on July 1.
Disability advocate Kristen Desmond said the parents of students with disabilites would want to know whether staff members teaching their children were vaccinated or not.
She said the issue was especially pertinent given outbreaks in support schools.
"If they are going ahead with this, what are they doing to ensure that students with disability and those with complex medical vulnerabilities are not going to be further at risk of transmission by being taught by unvaccinated teachers," Ms Desmond said.
"They thought it was a risk at the beginning of the year, so what has changed in terms of the risk factors."
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