Essay: Parents Deserve a Clear Plan on Reopening Schools: The Age Editorial

Schools of Australia and Coronavirus.
“Parents deserve a clear plan on reopening schools” is an editorial published by The Age on the 27h of April 2020. The author contends that schools in Victoria are in need to reopen as other states schools have already returned, experts believe that it is now safe to go back and the restrictions of children going to school are bringing pressure upon households. The editorial is specifically targeted to any Victorian which is affected by the closure of schools within the state. By using an authoritative tone throughout the editorial, the author clearly expresses their arguments in a strong and confident manner. The author also develops a criticising tone to target the Federal and State Governments and make them appear useless.
In the editorial, the writer argues that other states have already made their return to schools and it is about time Victoria does the same. With the use of a metaphor and evidence, the writer demonstrates his argument to their audience that the coming back of schools is now overdue with the fellow states already starting back. The writer withholds a tone of criticism and authority as they intend to show how superior their argument is and the strength of it. The use of a metaphor being “New South Wales has given the green light” contains a positive effect to it as the words “green light” are associated with go forth and therefore encourages the audience to feel annoyed by the fact another state has progressed and are moving onto the return of students. The writer continues on to use evidence that “Of the other states and territories, only Tasmania and the ACT have not yet outlined a plan to return to classes in term two.”, with this the writer aims to create tension for the audience as well as frustration as those two states haven’t even outlined a plan and therefore appear to lack care for the topic whatsoever.
Experts no longer support the Government in their opinion of the closure of schools as Experts now believe it is safe for students to make their return. With the use of expert opinion and common sense to support this argument, the writer brings conflict between both the experts and the Government as well as the audience. The opinion of the Experts is seen in the editorial and the writer states “Some of the nation’s leading infectious disease experts have told..it is now safe to reopen the state’s schools.” which creates a state of confusion as if the government has received the thumbs up from the experts, why aren’t they acting upon it and lifting these restrictions. The writer also includes common sense “But when the weight of academic opinion also begins to shift, the government will find it harder to maintain that support.” As they support their argument by saying once the expert’s opinion has been altered through recent results, those at home may choose to leave their trust in the experts rather than the Government. The intended effect on the audience is to leave the audience confused on where they lay their support and not feel in the wrong if they choose to trust in the experts more so the Government.
The restrictions of the rights for children to go to school has caused serious pressure upon families as now they have added responsibility to care for their children in already stressful times. With an appeal to common sense and an attack, the writer expresses the recent struggles of remote learning on top of everything else that Victorians’ are having to face in relation to COVID-19. The appeal to common sense is evident in the editorial with “But Victorian parents have every right to demand their government articulate a clear plan.” and with this the writer is appealing to their audience and intending do have the effect that they deserve to know what is expected for the future and it is only fair for the Government to provide these families with that. It also has the effect of making the Government appear more lazy and as if a plan won’t be acted upon unless Victorians’ push for it. The writer also uses an attack as they quote the leader of the opposition, Michael O’Brian, “The Premier needs to understand the pressure that his restrictions are putting on families,”. Michael O’Brian is attacking The Premier by saying they don’t understand how overwhelmed families are feeling right now with all these rules due to COVID-19. The writer included this attack by Michael O’Brian as it clearly supports their argument and has the effect on the audience of feeling understood by a member of parliament and feeling hopeful on having their voices heard.
Throughout the editorial, the writer upholds the tones of authoritative and criticising to assert their dominance to their audience. By appealing to the families of Victoria who are affected by the closure of schools, the writer embraces their contention that the Government isn’t doing their part on making sure schools reopen as soon as they possibly can. The use of techniques such as expert opinion, evidence, metaphors and attacks, the writer creates their intended effect on the audience for presenting their arguments.