The Education Minister has announced plans to relax Covid-19 requirements in WA schools next term – in an effort to ease the burden felt by staff.

Sue Ellery told Perth LIVE, things are only going to get tougher for schools before the end of this term.

“This week or next week will be toughest that schools have faced in the last two and a bit years, there’s no question about that,” she told Oliver Peterson.

“Staff are out, either with covid themselves, or because they’re close contacts.

“School attendance is down a little bit, and people are really, really tired – which is why we also announced an easing off of the burden, if you like, of contact tracing in schools.”

From April 26th, schools will no longer need to contact parents for close contact that has occurred outside of school.

Mask-wearing requirements will stay, school balls and sporting events will be allowed, but camps will remain on hold.

“It is about allowing parents back on school sites to attend year group assemblies, parent-teacher meetings, that kind of thing,” Ellery said.

“We’re not getting them to go back into the classroom yet, but they can volunteer in the canteen, uniform shop, we can have indoor sporting events, outdoor sporting events, with parents as spectators as long as they comply with venue requirements.”

Press PLAY to hear more from Sue Ellery on Perth LIVE