In a video posted to Facebook this morning, Morrison said some vulnerable children “won’t get an education at home”.
“We cannot allow a situation where parents are forced to choose between putting food on the table through their employment to support the kids and their kid’s education,” he added.
“And I know teachers don’t want to force those choices on the parents either, because if we do, of course, thousands of jobs would be lost, livelihoods forsaken.”
Morrison appeared to push back against states who have advised all children of non-essential workers to stay home.
“The expert medical advice throughout the coronavirus to date has not changed,” he said.
“When it comes to the safety of children going to school, I have consistently advised that the risk remains very low.
“Now I know you want to be there for your kids in your school, particularly those vulnerable kids.
“Those kids of parents who need to be at work, who need to send their kids to school.
“And I know teachers will be working with their school leadership to do everything possible to ensure we continue to give our kids the best possible education, even in these difficult circumstances.”
Victorian students will begin Term 2 today, however, the majority of students will be using online learning programs from home after Premier Daniel Andrews requested only children of essential workers and should be physically attending.
Victoria has enforced strict conditions under which students can physically attend school grounds, with parents now required to fill out a form each week declaring in writing that their children are not unwell.
Queensland schools are set to start on Monday and NSW students will return on April 27.
In contrast to her Victorian counterpart, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is keen for students to get back to the classroom.
The Premier said her government and education stakeholders were in discussions over an “increase in the level of face-to-face teaching” in Term 2.
The health advice that schools were safe remained the same, Berejiklian urged.
However, she acknowledged some teachers were at greater risk because of children and parents dropping off and picking up kids.
