Commenting on the most recent school attendance data released by
the government today, which shows another increase in the number
of children not attending school for Covid-related reasons, Paul
Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said:
"Schools have seen another huge drop in attendance as we near the
end of term, with much of this absence due to pupils isolating.
However, there has also been a sharp rise in the number of
confirmed Covid cases in schools.
"The government’s reasoning behind removing ‘bubbles’ and school
isolation requirements was to reduce disruption to children’s
education and stop them missing school. But with cases rising we
are seeing more and more children actually off sick. Unless some
action is taken to prevent transmission in schools, disruption to
children’s education looks set to continue.
“The government’s own modelling predicts that the number of cases
among children and young people is only going to get worse by the
start of next term. Parents and school leaders will therefore be
looking to government to take urgent action to drive down case
numbers among school-age children. They will want to understand
the rationale and scientific evidence that underpins the decision
not to vaccinate children, and to know what steps the government
is taking to implement alternative safety measures in key areas
such as ventilation.
“Simply doing nothing and hoping for the best next term not only
fails to address the problem, it risks making things worse.”
