from critical worker rapid antigen testing scheme
Schools have been told they generally won't be part of that scheme, although exceptions will be made if they don't have enough staff able to be on site, to look after children who cannot learn from home.
The scheme does include some staff in boarding school hostels.
Secondary Principals Association president Vaughan Couillault told Morning Report teachers should be recognised as critical workers and included in the scheme.
"I realise it's not necessarily an education decision, it's a health one, so we don't necessarily want to shoot the messenger, however ... it's not a good look when you're telling the providers of an essential public good, which education is, ... 'bad luck, you don't qualify for the rapid antigen testing scheme and just make do with whatever you can'."
Last year's extended lockdowns in Auckland, Waikato and Northland had proved how essential education providers were to the community, he said.
Keeping schools open was important, not only for students' education and well-being, but to ensure the economy could prosper, he added.
Link to article and recording: Principals cry foul over schools' exclusion from critical worker rapid antigen testing scheme | RNZ News
