The principal of elite boys school Scotch College has written to Mark McGowan on behalf of private school principals, asking him to delay the border opening by a month.

Alec O’Connell also chairs the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia’s WA branch and told Liam Bartlett on 6PR Mornings the delay would give schools time to implement new COVID-19 measures.

“Schools are a critical part of the solution for the community,” he said.

“I want the boys back in front of us… it’s great for their wellbeing, it’s great for their education.

Mr O’Connell also asked the WA Premier to release new COVID-19 protocols for schools as soon as possible, as they had implications for teachers as well as students who either contracted the virus or were close contacts of those who had.

“We just want to run our schools the best we can,” he said.

Mr O’Connell’s views on the border delay were shared by some business owners and mining companies on Wednesday.

Tap PLAY below to hear his full chat with Liam.

Image: TCH