NAHT comments on PAC report on government handling of Covid pandemic and plans for education recovery

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “The findings of this report are extremely disappointing but not surprising to us. Throughout the pandemic, the DfE has been playing catch-up. The individual efforts of schools have almost always been quicker and better than anything centrally managed from Whitehall.

“The list of failures is extensive. While the government has been deliberating, school staff have already been quietly, but determinedly, getting on with the crucial task of supporting pupils. There is no doubt that this vital work helped to shield large numbers of children from the worst effects of the pandemic.

“Nevertheless, a credible government plan for recovery is absolutely essential. We are still waiting for this to see the light of day, which is why today we have published our own education recovery ‘blueprint’ to bring about a stronger and fairer post-pandemic system for all pupils.”

NAHT’s blueprint makes seven recommendations for the government to implement.

• Prioritise the early years
• Improve support for mental health and well-being
• Invest in the teaching profession
• Provide targeted academic support for pupils who need it
• Expand extra-curricular provision and invest in extra-curricular providers
• Invest in school technology
• Remove unnecessary burdens and distractions

Mr Whiteman concluded: “The PAC is right to focus on technology. The government’s efforts to provide disadvantaged learners with laptops only hit its target in February, almost a full year after the pandemic first hit. In our report, we highlight the need to invest in technology on an ongoing basis. As the PAC identifies, schools should not be expected to bear these costs out of already stretched budgets.

“We agree that the DfE should set out how it intends to gain assurance on the quantity and quality of tutoring provided under the National Tutoring Programme. As we have said, the scope of this has some unhelpful limitations that may mean not all pupils receive the support they need.

“The recovery mission will take a significant investment of new money from the Treasury. The PAC is right to demand that this represents value for money. Education professionals are well aware that recovery work – already begun in most schools – will take several years, and schools will need the backing of government for all of that time.”