Commenting on the latest attendance data for education settings
published today by the Government showing levels of pupil and
staff absence at the start of term, Kevin Courtney, joint
general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"It is now abundantly clear that the effects of Omicron on the
operation of schools are highly significant. With almost 1 in 10
staff absent due to COVID last Thursday, there is
no reason to suppose this will ease soon. London and the south
have already seen a significant rise in December, and with the R
rate high in the north of England there are ever more compelling
arguments to protect the school community with proper mitigations
to slow the spread of COVID and thereby ensure that education for
children and young people is as uninterrupted as possible and the
health and wellbeing of staff and students protected.
'Government needs to act decisively and give schools the
equipment they need to ensure proper ventilation in schools and
colleges in an attempt to keep COVID infection as low as
possible. Relying on a workforce of retired teachers
appearing from thin air and in record time is just not enough to
meet this challenge.
'These attendance reports must now also return from
being fortnightly to weekly, In the same format as before last
summer. This is a critical time for schools and colleges and we
must see emerging trends quickly rather than in the rear-view
mirror."
