School's out (early) for summer! Queensland's school year will end two days early this year to give teachers a break
Queensland's schools will break up two days early this year, with the summer holidays kicking off on December 9.
The state's education chief Tony Cook made the extraordinary decision on Thursday, saying teachers deserved a break because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
'In recognition of the efforts of school-based staff during the COVID-19 health pandemic, the 2020 school year will end two days early,' a statement from the Queensland Department of Education said.
Queensland's schools will break up two days early this year, with the summer holidays kicking off on December 9 (file picture)
The last two days of the year - Thursday December 10 and Friday December 11 - will be student-free, with schools closed.
Some schools in regional areas will close a week early.
Some parents were not happy with the news.
'So because teachers worked the last six months (like the rest of us) in their safe and secure jobs (unlike the rest of us) I now need to find two extra days annual leave of which most people where forced to use or find an expensive outside school care option. Get real,' one dad said.
A mum added: 'They have surely had enough extra days off this year. Also let's not forget teachers already get more than double holiday periods than other professions.'