NAHT Cymru comments on Covid measures within schools

In response to First Minister Mark Drakeford’s comments today on mitigations in schools, Laura Doel, NAHT Cymru Director said:

“Schools are still suffering as a result of Covid, with high levels of staff absence and therefore we must be wary of lifting the mitigations measures that are currently in schools too quickly.  No-one wants stricter mitigations in schools than in the rest of society, however we have to remember, particular in primary schools, that these are largely unvaccinated places.  We know Omicron is more transmissible and even with the current mitigations in place schools are barely managing to keep the doors open.  We are working with the Welsh Government on a plan for schools but we believe, given the ongoing disruption in schools, that a slow and steady approach is the right one.”