An Auckland high school principal is concerned that because Covid-19 Alert Level 3 has been extended in the city for another week, it's taking a toll on students.
It was hoped that students would be able to return to the class room for the beginning of Term 4 at the end of the school holidays on October 17, but Cabinet decided yesterday they would need to hold off.
St Paul's College headmaster Kieran Fouhy said endless weeks spent learning at home are taking a serious toll on students.
"They're not coping at all... I'm a boys' school and they don't cope. They're not coping with the lack of contact, physical contact.
"Students learn teachers they don't learn subjects. They need the encouragement and the person-to-person immediacy that a classroom gives."
He said students did well for the first month or so learning from home but as lockdown progressed, many struggled to maintain focus.
Some students begun sleeping in or skipping classes altogether as they couldn't keep up with the at-home learning environment.
Fouhy added that students are fearful about end-of-year assessments moving closer, with some exams set to begin at the beginning of next term.
"They're just not coping, there's a real sense of fear. They did well for the first few months or so but they're just well and truly over it."
He emphasised the important role that getting vaccinated for Covid-19 plays in getting students back to school, after Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced mandatory vaccinations for teaching staff.
"At some point, we have to go back and live with the virus, and it's not going to be easy. So we all have to get vaccinated."
From January 1, 2022 all education staff and support staff will be required to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 in order to be in contact with students, Hipkins announced on Monday.
They'll need to have their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine by November 15 and schools as well as early childhood centres will need to keep a register.
The mandate includes home-based educators, teacher aides, admin and maintenance staff as well as contractors. Students are not required to be vaccinated to attend class.
It's not yet been decided whether this will be extended those working in the tertiary education sector.
Schools and kura will need to keep a record of Covid-19 vaccinations for students who are eligable. Those who don't provide their status will be considered unvaccinated.
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