Australia's two biggest states have committed to reopening schools on time for the new year, amid calls to delay bringing children back as the covid pandemic continues.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said children needed to be back 'on day one' while Victorian acting health minister James Merlino said the state would 'absolutely' deliver face-to-face learning as planned.
'(My priorities are) hospitalisations number one and number two is getting kids back into the classroom,' Mr Perrottet said on Wednesday.
NSW Premiere said getting children back to school 'on day one' in his secondest highest priority amid the Omicron outbreak
'We need kids back on day one and that is what we are going to do.'
Mr Merlino said he was working with NSW and other jurisdictions for a nationally consistent framework schools returning.
'No one is talking about lockdown, no one is talking about remote learning,' he said.
'I want every child back at school day one term one and we will be making sure that that is the case.
Victorian acting health minister James Merlino said the state would no be using remote learning and that he wants 'every child back at school day one term one'
States and territories are reportedly working together to ensure a nation-wide school framework can be created as school reopen as children begin to receive vaccinations
'We made a commitment to the people of Victoria - get vaccinated, and then we can move beyond remote learning, move beyond lockdowns.'
The states and territories are working with the head of the prime minister's department Phil Gaetjens on a plan to coordinate schools reopening, with advice likely to go to a national cabinet meeting on Thursday.
Australia's former deputy chief medical officer has put his name on a letter to national cabinet urging leaders not to delay the school year's start.
Australia's former deputy chief medical officer has put his name on a letter to national cabinet urging leaders not to delay the school year start as the child vaccination rollout continues
Medical experts have said children going back to school will not have an impact on the trajectory
