NEU comments on school attendance data

Commenting on education settings attendance data for 10 February, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:  

"It is welcome that the effects of the Omicron wave are now fading in schools, but it would be wrong to leap to the conclusion that the fight against Covid is over. The level of absence for pupils, teachers and teaching assistants is the same as in the second half of last term; however, attendance is still well below pre-pandemic levels. 

"In terms of learning to live with Covid, the guidance for schools that was issued today is woeful and its communication inadequate. This is not putting schools on a good footing to avoid education disruption due to new cases and transmission. 

“The Government must still do more to mitigate the spread of the disease, and to guard against future waves. Many classrooms still lack adequate ventilation and the Government must address this, both to protect staff from illness and to protect pupils from disruption to education.”