Coronavirus: Teachers warn of early school return 'spike'
The British Irish Group of Teacher Pre GCSE Unions has
written to the education ministers of all five nations in which the million
staff it represents work.
Its letter warns the ministers of the "very real risk of
creating a spike in the transmission of the virus by a premature opening of
schools".
Test and trace measures must be fully operational before
reopening, it says.
And there must be:
§
"significant operational
changes... in place to ensure effective social distancing" in schools
§
strong hygiene routines
linked to thorough cleaning practices
§
appropriate protective
personal equipment, where required
The letter was signed by leaders of 10 teaching unions,
including the National Education Union (NEU), the National Association of
Schoolmasters and Women Teachers, which between represents the bulk of teachers
in England and Wales, and Scottish and Irish teaching unions.
Scotland and Wales have already sketched out plans for a phased
return of schools, with England's Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, saying
he will take a phased approach too and head teachers will be given plenty of
notice.
§
1 June earliest 'realistic'
date for re-opening schools, say heads
§
Schools will reopen in phases,
says Williamson
§
Return to school in children's
interests - Ofsted
Asked by the newly appointed shadow secretary of state for
education, Rebecca Long Bailey, in the Commons, on Tuesday morning, when there
would be clarity over schools reopening, Mr Williamson said: "In terms of
the return of schools, obviously she, I'm sure, shares a desire with me to see
children being given the opportunity of returning to school when it is the
right time to do so - and this will be based on the scientific and medical
advice that we receive.
"I can assure her that we will take a phased approach in
terms of opening schools and we will always aim to give schools, parents and,
of course critically important, children the maximum amount of notice in terms
of when this is going to happen."
Mr Williamson also acknowledged there was "no substitute
for a child being in a classroom, learning directly from a teacher".
It is expected children in the last year of primary school and
then those in the pre-GCSE year will be prioritised.
Reports have suggested 1 June would be the earliest reopening
date in England.
Schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were closed in
the last week of March, with Irish schools shutting a little earlier.
§
§
AVOIDING CONTACT: The rules on self-isolation and exercise
§
HOPE AND LOSS: Your coronavirus stories
§
LOOK-UP TOOL: Check cases in your area
§
TESTING: Can I get tested for coronavirus?
§
61% were
"concerned" or "very concerned" about the social-distancing
measures in place for pupils
§
50% expressed concern for
staff
§
22% said their school did not
have sufficient soap and/or hand sanitiser
§
22% said there was no hand
washing routine at their school
NEU joint general secretary Kevin Courtney said much more needed
to be done to "equip schools for the road ahead" and he accused the
government of being "premature in its off-the-record briefings about
school reopenings".
"There should be no mad rush to reopen schools," he
said.
"It must be done with great care and alongside a profession
who feel confident about safety measures being adequate and fit for purpose.
"Parents also agree with us - they have shown immense
patience in recent weeks, for which all school staff are grateful.
"But that goodwill and effort from the public will be
squandered by returning pupils too hastily.
"Safety must come first."
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