By Gavin Mackintosh-
East Sussex Council has told its schools not to rush into rolling out mass testing to avoid a situation that produces more damage than benefits.
The council said such a rush of putting together plans without having “sufficient time to prepare may ultimately do more harm than good”. The warning comes as British scientists investigate whether a new strain of the coronavirus spreads more easily in children.
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A number of organisations that include unions, the Church of England, the National Governance Association, and the Independent Schools Council, have together criticised the plans for mass testing, The Eye Of Media.Com has learnt.
A letter to the government stated the “chaotic and rushed nature” of the announcement means schools will “not be in a position to carry this out in a safe and effective manner”. The warnings and opposition to the plans are in direct contradiction to the British government’s recommendations and plans.
Pupils in primary and secondary schools in the Uk are due to resume the second semester next year at least 2 weeks late, due to the spread of the virus in schools. Already, hundreds, if not thousands of pupils have missed out on their education due to school closures or self isolation caused by infections in schools.
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Lack Of Detail
The letter, signed by the council’s children services director and the region’s director of public health, says “due to the lack of detail” on proposals and the “very short timescales involved , they have we have urged caution with our schools and suggested that they do not rush into drawing up plans”.
Trying to implement something hastily without sufficient time to prepare may ultimately do more harm than good, East Sussex Council said. The intervening council told its schools that there is no requirement for pupils to have a test in order to return in January, and that they are “confident the procedures schools have already implemented are robust and should provide families with reassurance”.
The letter added: “Our aim is to work with schools in order to deliver serial testing for pupils and staff in a well-planned and suitably resourced way so that we can minimise disruption to children and young people’s learning in the new year.”
Council staff plan to meet with school representatives on January 4 to “review any new guidance that is issued over the Christmas period”.
A letter to the government stated the “chaotic and rushed nature” of the announcement means schools will “not be in a position to carry this out in a safe and effective manner”.
The warning could lead to some other councils following suit over the issue of mass testing in schools.
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