The state government wants schools to remain open, despite a teacher shortage stemming from high rates COVID-19 community transmission.
Workforce pressures are plaguing Victoria's teaching sector, with the Department of Education and Training now providing financial incentives for staff to travel to regional areas for relief teaching.Department of Education and Training has asked Victorian Institute of Teaching registered staff for their availability to travel to regional areas to fill staff shortages
An email obtained by the ABC, sent on May 18 by the department secretary Jenny Atta, said providing workforce support would be given "a higher priority" for the remainder of term two. "At times, it definitely feels like we're just babysitting the students as classes can't run traditionally," they said.
"It's been a bit of a day to day balancing act, working out how many students are in attendance, which staff are available, and we have resorted to lots of combining classes," he said.