Commenting on the publication of the SAGE advice relating to the
reopening of schools, Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of the
NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union, said:
“The evidence presented by SAGE in terms of justifying the
decision by Government to start to reopen schools from 1 June is
inconclusive.
“The papers highlight the significant gaps in evidence, knowledge
and understanding which remain in terms of the susceptibility of
children to COVID-19 and how infectious those with mild and
asymptomatic cases of the virus may be.
“The Committee states that large-scale community testing is
needed to better understand and monitor the prevalence of and
susceptibility to COVID-19 in children, yet the Government’s
plans for the reopening of schools from 1 June are premature
whilst a widespread community testing system will not be in
place.
“The SAGE papers published today will only add to teachers’
uncertainty and anxiety.
“Importantly, the Committee has concluded that interventions
around preventing the spread of the virus must be eased in a
logical manner.
“However, the arrangements for easing the current restrictions on
schools have been far from logical and are yet to secure the
confidence of parents and school staff.
“The NASUWT remains of the view that no school should reopen
until it can be demonstrated that it is safe to do so. We remain
ready to work with the Government on a way forward which will
ensure that staff and pupils can return to schools safely.”
