By Sheila Mckenzie-
Leaders of teaching unions in the Uk are sounding a warning against rushing to open schools in the Uk, following their concerns of tentative plans to gradually open schools as part of an exit plan for the British government to get the economy working again.
Dr Mary Bousted(pictured) and Kevin Courtney, joint general secretaries of the National Education Union, and Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union, are among 11 signatories of a letter from the British Irish Group of Teacher Unions to education ministers in all UK jurisdictions and the Republic of Ireland. The letter warns of a “very real risk of creating a spike in the transmission of the virus by a premature opening of schools”.
Whilst students in other European countries like Norway and Denmark have returned to schools in April, and around 40 per cent of schools in Japan reported to have reopened, the idea of a phased approach in returning British pupils to schools is causing controversy.
Speculation about minister’s plans to re-open schools has led those who fear it could contribute to a second spike to raise alarm. The concern comes amid a lack of personal protective equipment and coronavirus testing for school staff. Added concerns include the belief that social distancing will be “impossible” in schools once pupils return have led to growing warnings that schools could reopen too early.
“We are convinced by the experience of other systems that a critical tool in preventing a surge of infection is an established capacity to ‘test trace and isolate’ and we would argue that reopening schools before such a regime is in place, would be catastrophic to the rate of infection,” the unions’ letter said.
“Secondly, it is clear to all that schools can only reopen and operate safely if there are significant operational changes in place to ensure effective social distancing, strong hygiene routines linked to thorough cleansing practices, appropriate PPE available where required, and ongoing risk assessments in place to monitor operations.” The unions warned that schools “cannot reopen as normal”, and said a phased return will be required, with “priorities established around attendance, which is likely to be part time for most pupils”.
It comes after the government asked leadership unions to survey their members on how best to phase the return of pupils to schools. The Association of School and College leaders has revealed that two options being considered are the phased return of certain year groups, and a rota system.
In their letter, the teaching unions also impressed on the government “the need to consider equity”.“We recognise that children from poor and challenged backgrounds and vulnerable children will inevitably require significant additional support as we move slowly back to a more settled situation.”