Today the National Education Union calls for testing of education
staff to be an urgent priority of the Government in its efforts
to tackle Coronavirus.
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National
Education Union, said:
"The NEU believes it is absolutely crucial for the efficient and
safe functioning of the education service over the coming months
that Covid-19 testing is introduced for education staff working
in schools. There simply won't be enough education staff
available for work on school sites, if all members with symptoms
are forced to self-isolate.
"Staff need to know whether or not they have the virus so they
know whether they can safely come into work and offer crucial
support to the families of key workers.
"Plans were announced yesterday to step up testing, and clearly
healthcare staff will be the priority but we do need to include
education staff in these arrangements as a matter of urgency.
"Our school and college leader members are telling us that
planning staffing rotas is extraordinarily challenging and the
picture is going to change day by day in the coming weeks. We
recognise that there are challenges around testing, but it is
vital that leaders are offered every tool and tactic available to
enable schools to remain open for all the children that need
them."
