, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary,
responding to new data which shows over 821,000 children were out
of school due to coronavirus last week, said:
“The Conservatives have sat back and let the Johnson variant rip,
creating a crisis in our schools which is forcing kids out of
classrooms.
“Parents, pupils and teachers are crying out for help to keep
children learning, but the Government are recklessly letting
infections spiral.
“We cannot simply wish away the real challenges of the pandemic.
Ministers should be supporting schools to get ventilation systems
in place, providing NHS support to deliver testing and be taking
responsibility by providing clear guidance on the wearing of
facemasks.”
Ends
Notes to editors
Over 821,000 children were out of school last week:
· 35,000 pupils with a suspected case of coronavirus, 0.5% of
pupils on roll in open schools
· 39,000 pupils with a confirmed case of coronavirus, 0.5% of
pupils on roll in open schools
· 624,000 pupils self-isolating due to potential contact with a
case of coronavirus from inside the educational setting, 8.4% of
pupils on roll in open schools
· 123,000 pupils self-isolating due to potential contact with a
case of coronavirus from outside the educational setting, 1.6% of
pupils on roll in open schools
· 0.3% of pupils were absent as a result of school closures due
to COVID-related reasons.
https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/attendance-in-education-and-early-years-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/2021-week-28
