School leaders, teachers and parents make regular decisions about educational issues. Some policies and processes require lengthy consideration while other procedures are actioned after very short lead times. In most instances, those most impacted by resulting changes are children. Unfortunately, changing priorities and new approaches are little understood by those most affected – the students. Educational partnerships focus on adults talking for students, about students but generally not with students.

That has certainly been the case as COVID-19 confuses the 2020 educational agenda. Within a few short weeks, the school year has been turned upside down. Teachers and parents around Australia have been left juggling between the alternatives of school attendance and home schooling for children. One is left wondering whether schools are there for normalised education or simply to provide for students who have to be minded elsewhere so their parents can go to work.

Students are in the middle of this dilemma. They need reassurance and must not be caught in a vacuum of misunderstanding. They need to know they are valued and loved; they must not feel they are a nuisance or a burden to parents and the community.

It is critically important that students should understand what is happening educationally and why changes are taking place. Both parents and teachers need to converse with children about these matters. This must include listening to young people and answering their questions about educational alternatives.

Education has been muddied by everything happening at the moment. This ‘muddiness’ plays on children, their parents and their teachers. We need to consider what students are going through at this time. They need to be included in all conversations leading to decisions about education during term two. Pros and cons about the two alternatives -school attendance and home schooling – should be canvassed. Parents should be listening to students about their schooling preferences. Family situations and children’s futures are at stake.

The situation is compounded by statements from the Prime Minister, Premies, Chief Ministers and Education Ministers. A whirlpool of viewpoints and counter-viewpoints seem to be altering on almost a daily basis.

The holiday weeks have not been ones of rest and relaxation for anyone connected with education. There has been and continues to be a lot of discussion within households between parents and their children about the best way forward. One can but hope that students, parents and teachers will move into term two with clear understanding and commitment, for muddied educational waters are confusing.

The Northern Territory’s first Director for Education Dr Jim Eedle said in 1979 that we do well to remember that education is for children. More than ever students need to be part of the planning so that surety replaces uncertainty about their future schooling.