NASUWT General Secretary Dr Patrick Roach said:
“The Prime Minister’s display of determination to press ahead
with the wider reopening of schools from 1 June is seriously at
odds with the scientific evidence released to date, and the deep
concerns expressed by schools, teachers and parents.
“The Government has yet to reassure parents and teachers that
opening schools from 1 June will be safe and now appears to
accept that many schools will not be able to reopen on that date.
“The Government has to recognise that it has not won the trust
and confidence of the teaching profession.
“Notwithstanding the Government’s assertions, the bottom line is
that no teacher or child should be expected to go into schools
until it can be demonstrated that it is safe for them to do so.
“The Prime Minister has rightly stressed the importance of
bringing down the “R” rate below 1 but the evidence published to
date by SAGE is inconclusive when it comes to the question of
whether the wider reopening of schools could contribute to a
second wave of COVID-19 infections.
“The Prime Minister has also rightly made clear that he wants all
businesses to be COVID-secure. However, whilst publishing limited
optional guidance for schools, the Government has still not made
clear the standards for ensuring that all schools will be
COVID-secure when they reopen.
“Teachers and the public need to be convinced that the actions by
the Government will not put at risk the health and safety of
teachers, children or the general public.”