"It's hard when you're trying to teach a child with diagnosed learning disabilities and there's no support or structure, it makes you feel like you're going to crumble," Ms Ross said.

"All I keep thinking about is how far behind academically my son will be at the end of all this."

In addition to working two days a week, Ms Ross cares for her adult sister, who has a disability and requires around-the-clock support.

She said her son Iydin Pasa, 8, has a special learning plan when he attends classes at Red Hill Primary School. The plan includes instructions on where he should sit to minimise his sight problems and sets out targeted academic performance goals.

The year 3 student has a hard time with spelling, reading and writing, so he's often pulled out of class for one-on-one assistance.

At home, Ms Ross said she's doing her best to adjust to the new role as facilitator, but working while supervising online lessons has been a battle.

"He's managing OK, but there's been times when he's broken down and cried, 'I just want things to go back to normal'," she said. "It breaks your heart as a mum."

When class resumes after the holidays on April 28, all ACT schools will move to online learning. For most students that will mean learning from home. Those who can't will be permitted to attend classes at several locations the Education Directorate was still determining this week.

Chloe Fox's two daughters Nicola and Mischa attend Bonython Primary School. When they resume class next term the former hospitality worker will have just started a new job answering coronavirus queries at a recently-established helpline.

She said she plans to rely on family to supervise the at-home learning while she's at work, as the health risk of sending her girls to school is too great.

Ms Fox said her biggest concern is not knowing what is expected from her as a parent.

"I think that we could benefit from a video conference call actually explaining what the kids will be doing and how we help them," she said.

"We are sent emails almost daily now but I still don't fully grasp how they are restructuring learning for next term so that parents are able to be more hands-off if working from home."

Ms Fox said she usually limits screen time for her girls and she's worried they'll get mixed signals using Chromebooks and laptops in the house.

"I am really concerned that they will miss out on vital learning due to not being in a school environment but also developmentally as they are not socialising with peers or doing group activities," she said.

The Education Directorate spokesperson said not all learning will be online, with younger students in particular to be provided with offline resources to continue their learning.

In response to concerns over the gap widening between students whose families have the resources to supervise education and single-parent families forced to continue working, the Education Directorate spokesperson said the ACT government will support public school students to transition to the most appropriate arrangement for them.

This could include vulnerable students being given different material to learn from home, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said school psychologists and allied health professionals will also continue to be available to students and a list of support resources had been made for students and families on the ACT Education Directorate website.

While all public school students from year seven to year 12 receive access to Chromebook devices as part of their normal schooling, the spokesperson said, ACT public primary schools are currently identifying students in years 4, 5 and 6 who require a device to ensure learning can continue at home.

"The ACT Education Directorate is also working closely with community groups to work out a longer-term solution for wellbeing support options such as breakfast programs," the spokesperson said.

Catholic education director Ross Fox said all catholic schools will be open in term two for students who need to attend.

"This will provide significant support for every student who needs it in a familiar environment," Mr Fox said.

Mr Fox said Catholic school students will continue to receive pastoral care and individualised support through their classroom teachers.

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"That teacher is responsible for the care and learning of their students as if they were in the classroom.

"If further support is required for a student or group of students who might struggle in this new learning environment they will ensure that appropriate support is provided in an individualised way so that each student is able to succeed in their learning."

Mr Fox said the challenge for school principals and teachers was to maintain the "thriving and socially connected school community" which was essential to Catholic schools.

He said many teachers had already found creative ways to do so during the last weeks of term, including a Holy Trinity Primary School teacher who created a video blog of a school day during the pandemic, as well as Good Shepherd Primary School putting on a drive by Easter Hat Parade.

Both Ms Ross and Ms Fox said they were grateful to have jobs to go to and that their families were safe. Both mums also struggled with a concern they wouldn't be able to do enough to support their children's education next term.

"Now as I am returning to the workforce as a essential worker there is guilt that they will not have their mum there to assist them in this time," Ms Fox said.

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