Commenting on an email to schools and colleges from the
Department for Education indicating possible arrangements for
testing in September, as well as general speculation on the
future of bubbles and self-isolating, Kevin Courtney,
Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union,
said:
"With its letter about September, the Department for Education is
once again jumping to half-explained ideas with absolutely no
consideration of the logistical challenge facing schools and
colleges. This shows every indication of our having to endure yet
another summer of confusion and disarray, capped off by
last-minute guidance with inadequate time for preparations. This
is no Plan A, or Plan B. Currently it scarcely qualifies as a
plan at all.
"With so much of the adult population vaccinated, the desire to
return to normal is completely understandable. The fast-rising
case counts amongst young people demonstrate, however, that we
are not there yet.
"It is important that the data from the recently concluded study
of daily testing of contacts as opposed to isolation of close
contacts is published quickly and is open to scientific scrutiny;
this must happen before any decision is made.
"We should hope for the best - that vaccination of adults solves
the problem - but plan for the worst, considering the options
around mass testing, vaccination of secondary students, and
improvements in ventilation for example.
"Gavin Williamson is missing in action. He has nothing to say
about ventilation or reinstating masks in classrooms, which are
surely the measures he can quickly bring about. He has also
allowed mass testing to dwindle amongst secondary children from
60% in March to just 15% today.
"We all want to see children in school as much as possible and
for as long as possible. The Education Secretary must get a grip
on this, and for once engage with the complexity from the outset.
To not do so will yet again waste the time of professionals he
purports to value."
