SOUTH-WEST educators say they're looking at options for online learning if health authorities enforce any further social distancing precautions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The state government said on Monday that schools, TAFEs and universities would "remain open for now" but were requested to restrict mass gatherings such as assemblies and lectures for more than 500 people.
Deakin University will move large lectures to an online format this week, but a spokesman would not elaborate on what affect that had for the approximately 650 students enrolled at the Warrnambool campus.
"We will progressively transition from in-person student attendance at large classes in lecture format ... students will receive further information about this in the coming days," he said.
"Deakin and its campuses remain open and safe. For now, students and staff should continue to attend as planned."
At South West TAFE classes and placements are continuing as usual and chief executive officer Mark Fidge said any changes would follow authorities' advice.
"We are having weekly meetings with them," Mr Fidge said.
He said the TAFE was also taking advice from aged care providers about whether up to 100 students could continue placements.
"We may see a situation where some of those practical placements are put on hold. At this stage we are taking guidance from those aged care providers," Mr Fidge said.
The training provider is considering options for online learning if any of its campuses were to close.
"Digital technology becomes an important solution to that," Mr Fidge said.
Emmanuel College principal Peter Morgan is preparing for the possibility that governments could enforce school closures.
If that was to happen, Mr Morgan said it would be difficult for VCE students to have a chunk taken out of their year.
"We're looking at and considering different models for operating the school and learning, both for students and teachers," Mr Morgan said.
"Internally we're working towards school closures and ensuring a continuity of learning with a normal time table where teachers would be available to work with students online.
"There is no clear word as yet that schools will be forced to close, or for holidays to being extended, but we are preparing for those possibilities."
Federal Education Minster Dan Tehan said on social media on Sunday that "school was still on" while the government had enforced social distancing measures for returned travellers and contacts of a COVID-19 case.
"The government will continually assess the situation and make decisions based on individual schools if coronavirus has presented," Mr Tehan wrote.
We have removed our paywall from our stories about the coronavirus. This is a rapidly changing situation and we to make sure our readers are as informed as possible. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.