“That ICPA Qld lobbies the Department of Education to provide remote, standalone schools with an alternate power supply in the event of a power outage.”
Power outages in regional areas can be frequent and remain in place for extended periods of time. These situations severely interrupt student learning, limit, or void telecommunications, and pose increased risks to students, staff, and the wider school community. Additionally, the loss of power can add significant and unique WHS risks to medically enrolled students, creating additional pressures for teachers to navigate. Power outages also interfere with school infrastructure, such as pressure pumps that are required for supply water. Without water, basic sanitation and consumption needs are not met. Schools that are stand-alone (not located in a town precinct) face greater challenges due to a lack of access to support services. For optimal educational outcomes, and student and staff safety and wellbeing, it’s imperative that a backup power supply be made available to schools.
