The government should “step back” from its plan to reopen schools in England to more pupils from June 1, education unions have urged.
The TUC has written to the Government on behalf of nine education unions today saying that we all want schools to re-open, but that should only happen when it is safe to do so.
“The government is showing a lack of understanding about the dangers of the spread of coronavirus within schools, and outwards from schools to parents, sibling and relatives, and to the wider community.”
In the letter they argue that uniquely, it appears, school staff will not be protected by social distancing rules. 15 children in a class, combined with their very young age, means that classrooms of 4 and 5-year olds could become sources of Covid-19 transmission and spread.
“While we know that children generally have mild symptoms, we do not know enough about whether they can transmit the disease to adults. We do not think that the government should be posing this level of risk to our society.”
In the House of Commons today the Education Secretary said that all teachers and pupils will be able to be tested for Covid-19 if they develop symptoms when they return to schools.
Gavin Williamson said this would enable a “track-and-trace approach” to be taken with any confirmed cases, as schools plan to begin a phased reopening from June 1.
He added that based on the medical and scientific advice, the reintroduction of classroom teaching next month was “the right thing to do and the only reasonable thing to do”.
