Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews yesterday announced the staged plans for students to return to normal learning.
Students in Foundation and Years 1, 2, 11 and 12, will transition back to face-to-face learning on Tuesday, May 26, with the remaining year levels returning two weeks later.
Education Minister James Merlino said people needed to be patient with the transition process.
“We've been working really closely with the profession . . . on what is the best way we can transition kids back to school,” he said.
“And there were a couple of messages - give us time to implement the change.
“It was a massive shift to go to flexible and remote learning.
“It is a massive shift back to go to face-to-face teaching.
“So give us time in the transition and start with particular cohorts of students."
Mr Merlino said in order to minimise the risk of spreading the virus, lunch breaks and drop-off times would be staggered and teachers will be required to practice social distancing.
“There will also be $45 million for additional cleaning for the remainder of term two and all of term three,” he said.
“So that means government schools, in addition to the normal cleaning that happens, there will be cleaning every day.
“Disinfectant cleaning, high touch points, every single day throughout the course of the day."
Teachers will have a pupil free day on Monday, May 25, to prepare for the return.
Mr Merlino thanked educators for their work over the past month.
“We have asked you to do things we have never asked you to do before and what you have done is just extraordinary,” he said.
“I also want to thank parents and students.
“You have heeded the messages and you have acted responsibly and it has made a difference to get us to the point where we've got the advice from Professor Sutton that we can now transition to face-to-face teaching.”
It’s expected the state's Catholic and independent schools will follow a similar plan to get students back into the classroom.
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