Commenting on the report by EPI, Education policy responses
across the UK to the pandemic: Kevin Courtney, Joint General
Secretary of the National Education Unions, said:
'This report is a stark reminder to
Governments that much more could have been done
during lockdown for children and young people's
education.
'It is unacceptable that the most
disadvantaged children and young
people were the hardest hit by the
fallout of the lockdown. Especially as, after
years of cuts to school funding and community
services, the additional challenges they faced in
accessing education and support were well known
and should have been planned for.
'In England the procrastination, delays, and
difficulties over whether those entitled to free
school meals would receive them over the summer
holidays and access to laptops and IT for home
learning was scandalous. These were known and
obvious problems. Not sorting out free school
meals effectively and quickly caused a great deal
of misery to nearly two million children, young
people, and their families. Child poverty is not
inevitable. Effective policy decisions can loosen
its grip. We urge Government to learn from the
costly mistakes, as well as the limited
successes, of the last 7 months to ensure in the
coming months no child is left behind.
'The Westminster's Governments record on
getting clear information out to schools has been
abysmal. In a recent NEU survey 84%
of members said they do not trust Boris Johnson’s
Government to keep schools safe, to protect
workers, to listen to the profession, to support
vulnerable or disadvantaged children, or to
ensure exams and assessment are fit for purpose.
This must change. Government needs to listen to
the profession and ensure we have effective
protection and policies in place to keep our
schools and colleges open safely for as long as
possible and for as many children and young
people as possible".
