Commenting on the statistics from the
Department for Education on attendance in education settings,
Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and
College Leaders, said:
“Whilst it is pleasing to note a slight increase in overall
attendance levels at schools and colleges, the underlying trend
is yet another rise in the number of coronavirus-related absences
among young people and, perhaps more worryingly, among education
staff.
“The rise in staff absence may appear fractional but the reality
is that it is now causing real headaches, with staffing problems
further disrupting education. This is happening despite staff
being vaccinated, with the issue exacerbated by an acute shortage
of suitably qualified supply staff.
“The key to bringing levels of Covid infection back under control
in our schools and colleges is clearly the vaccination programme
for 12 to 15-year-olds but it has not been happening fast enough.
It was painfully slow to get underway in some areas and has been
beset by logistical problems, not to mention being disrupted by
the irresponsible actions of anti-vaccination protestors.
“The announcement from NHS England that young people can attend
vaccination drop-in centres during the half-term holiday is a big
help and we hope they will do so in sufficient numbers to help
slow the spread of the virus in schools and colleges.
“The rollout of carbon dioxide monitors to schools that the
government promised at the start of term is only now happening
and has been far too slow. These devices do not solve the
ventilation problem for schools and colleges but is a step in the
right direction. What schools now need to see is a commitment of
funding from the government to allow them to install the
high-quality ventilation systems that should further reduce
infection levels.”
