By Tony O’Riley-
Schools in the Borders and Shetland will be first to reopen after schools were closed in March.
Councils have been given some flexibility over the back to school timetable, but the Scottish government wants all schools fully open by 18 August.
They have opted for a phased approach for there-opening of all schools, for instance by having youngest pupils return first.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited West Calder High School to see for herself the preparations. While there is no requirement for physical distancing between pupils, teachers are expected to remain 2m apart from students or other adults.
Older secondary pupils are encouraged to maintain distancing where possible, although critics doubt this will happen.
Pupils will be exempt from the usual social distancing or face covering rules do not apply to pupils, although they will have to sanitise their hands prior to boarding.
At her coronavirus briefing on Monday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon acknowledged that some teachers, parents and pupils would feel anxious, but said the guidance was carefully worked through and informed by scientific advice.
“The importance of getting young people back into education can’t be overstated,” she said
“Schools have worked really hard to support pupils through lockdown but we know the impact on education, on wellbeing, on happiness has been negative for young people so to get them back into full-time education has to be a priority.”
Pupils in the rest of the Uk are due to return to the classroom in September, the growing consensus being that children are not heavily affected by Covid-19.