All Tasmanian schools will reopen on Monday after a nationwide recall of coloured sand sparked concerns about possible asbestos contamination.
Education Minister Jo Palmer said specialist cleaning teams worked throughout the weekend to finish clearing the remaining affected government schools.
“It is reassuring that all air monitoring conducted has confirmed it is safe for schools to resume normal operations,” she said.
Testing of sand collected from public schools has not detected any asbestos, despite the precautionary recall.
More than 40 government schools were closed or partially closed following the recall.
Additional cleaning will continue this week at sites where small areas may still need attention.
Catholic Education Tasmania also confirmed its affected schools have been cleared to reopen on Monday.
Executive Director Dr Gerard Gaskin said the news reflected the “thorough and careful work” completed over recent days.
“We are deeply grateful to our families for their patience and understanding, and to our staff for their dedication during this challenging period,” he said.
Minister Palmer acknowledged the disruption caused by the closures.
“We appreciate that the closure or partial closure of schools has had an impact on students and their families and carers, staff and volunteers,” she said.
“At all times, the safety of our students and staff has been our priority.”
Government schools reopening Monday:
Bagdad Primary School
Beaconsfield Primary School
Bellerive Primary School
Brighton Primary School
Clarendon Vale Primary School
Collinsvale Primary School
Dodges Ferry Primary School
Glenorchy Primary School
Hagley Farm Primary School
Illawarra Primary School
JRLF – East Derwent Primary School
JRLF – Gagebrook Primary School
JRLF – Herdsmans Cove Primary School
Latrobe Primary School
Lauderdale Primary School
Lindisfarne North Primary School
Montagu Bay Primary School
New Norfolk Primary School
Penguin District School
Perth Primary School
Port Dalrymple School
Rokeby Primary School
Romaine Park Primary School
Sorell School
Springfield Gardens Primary School
Ulverstone Primary School
Catholic schools reopening Monday:
Dominic College, Glenorchy
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School, Lenah Valley
John Paul II Catholic School, Rokeby
Sacred Heart College, New Town
St Aloysius Catholic College, Kingston Campus
St Brigid’s Catholic School, Wynyard
St James Catholic College, Cygnet
St Paul’s Catholic School, Bridgewater
St Peter Chanel Catholic School, Smithton
