Responding to the statement on schools reopening NASUWT General
Secretary Dr Patrick Roach said:
“The education of children and young people which is of paramount
importance to the country can only be achieved if schools and
colleges are able to operate safely.
“Teachers and headteachers have been calling for weeks for the
Education Secretary to provide clear guidance and additional
support. However, last minute announcements have been a
characteristic feature of the Government’s handling of the
pandemic which is not helping schools to deliver the best support
and education possible for pupils.
“It has been abundantly clear throughout the autumn term that the
pandemic is seriously impacting on the ability of all schools to
continue to operate normally and safely. However, schools have
faced continued and unnecessary uncertainty which has created
huge anxiety for pupils, parents and staff which could and should
have been avoided.
“The Government has belatedly accepted representations from the
NASUWT that secondary schools and colleges should be permitted to
restrict onsite provision to pupils who are vulnerable, together
with children of frontline/key workers. However, the situation
affecting primary and special schools will also be of serious
concern to staff and parents, especially those in all Tier 4
areas, who will understandably be concerned about their safety.
“Whilst today’s announcement from the Education Secretary offers
some belated clarity, it does not go far enough.
“Stronger preventative action is needed to limit the further
transmission of the Coronavirus in schools and colleges,
including enabling the greater use of remote and blended learning
which would enable effective social distancing which is vital to
minimising virus transmission.
“Given the acute challenges posed by the new variant of the
Coronavirus, the introduction of mandatory wearing of face masks
or visors within school and college buildings must also be
considered, together with additional provision of personal
protective equipment (PPE).
“Despite new national tiering arrangements, there is still no
confirmation from the Government regarding the additional actions
that all schools and colleges will need to take to minimise the
spread of the virus and to protect vulnerable staff and pupils.
“The Government must immediately confirm that all education staff
who are clinically extremely vulnerable, together with staff in
other high risk groups, will be required to stay at home and work
from home pending further progress in reducing virus transmission
levels.
“The NASUWT is reminding school and college employers that,
irrespective of the Government’s guidance or lack of it, they
remain responsible and liable for health and safety in the
workplace. Risk assessment measures must be urgently reviewed and
updated in light of the new dangers that have been identified by
the Government.
“Whilst mass testing in secondary schools and colleges is
welcome, the tests themselves need to be accurate and provision
for mass testing must be accompanied by additional personnel on
the ground.
“Relying on virtual support from military personnel is not a
basis for delivering a robust and reliable programme of effective
mass testing in schools.
“A commitment from the Government to prioritising teachers and
education staff for access to the Covid-19 vaccine is also
necessary to deliver on the Education Secretary’s ambition to
keep schools and colleges open.
“The Government has a duty during this crisis to do whatever it
takes to ensure that all schools and colleges are safe places for
teaching and learning.”
