Commenting on the guidance document released today by the
Government, which details the strategy for easing the lockdown,
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National
Education Union, said:
"The National Education Union want schools to move to a wider
opening as soon as it is safe to do so, but it is not safe yet.
This timetable is reckless. This timetable is simply not safe.
Staff in schools and colleges are asking today for the evidence
behind the decision to select some year groups. Education staff
do not feel reassured that the Government is taking these steps
with public health in mind. Heads have been inundated with
questions and queries from their staff and from parents. The
Government has stoked teachers' anxiety and triggered real
confusion because the announcement is inconsistent on the
importance of social distancing and how or whether it can be
achieved in schools.
"This is not fair to anyone and it is not safe to put out a
timeline until the public safety test has been met. This first
sketch for schools must be immediately re-drawn, alongside unions
and the profession.
"The NEU is advising our school leader members today that we are
in no position to start planning for wider opening yet. This
reckless and rushed approach has created a level of uncertainty
and stress for school leaders which is simply unmanageable."
