Queensland schools are stepping up the fight against skin cancer this year by implementing even tougher sun protection measures.
State primary school students are now required to wear sun shirts or 'rashies' for water activities, in addition to wearing water-resistant SPF 30+ sunscreen whenever they go outdoors during school hours.
Catholic and independent schools across Queensland are also strong in their support for sun shirts, hats and highprotection sunscreen.
Premier Anna Bligh said it made good sense to extend Education Queensland's Sun Safety Strategy by making 'rashie' shirts part of the primary school uniform code.
'We currently require our children to wear hats and protective clothing when they are in the sun, so it makes sense to protect them while they are in the water,' Ms Bligh said.
'Exposure to the sun during childhood considerably increases a person's chances of developing skin cancer later in life.
'Everyone my age knows someone who, at the very least, has had to have a skin cancer cut out. We owe it to our children to stop them making the same mistakes we all did.'
Executive Director of the Queensland Catholic Education Commission Mike Byrne said Catholic schools are acutely aware of the importance of sun safety practices.
In addition to the basic requirements of hats, suitable clothing and sunscreen, many Catholic schools have introduced initiatives such as compulsory wearing of protective clothing and flexible scheduling of playtimes to avoid harsh sun exposure.
Independent Schools Queensland Executive Director, Dr John Roulston, said independent schools are also strongly encouraged to consider swim shirts and other sun protection products for their students.
All school sectors work closely with Cancer Council Queensland in developing their sun protection policies and strategies.
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© The State of Queensland (Department of Education, Training and the Arts) 2008.