SCHOOLS MAY STAY CLOSED UNTIL AFTER HALF TERM

ALL schools in Wales will stay closed until at least January 29, Education Minister Kirsty Williams has confirmed – with no return until after February half-term if coronavirus rates do not fall “significantly”.

Last Monday, the Welsh Government had said a return to face-to-face teaching for the first time since the Christmas break would be delayed until at least January 18.

But concerns about the virulence of the new coronavirus variant, and the possibility of transmission in schools and colleges, has led ministers to decide on this further delay.

And Ms Williams said if virus transmission rates did not reduce significantly in the meantime, there will be no return to school until at least after half-term, in February.

Only vulnerable and key workers’ children will be able to attend school for childcare. Other children will return to online learning.

Steps to close schools throughout this month have already been taken in other parts of the UK.

England and Scotland had already announced that they are closing all schools until February.

The move in Wales comes after teaching unions consistently raised concerns over a safe return to school, calling for clarity over reopenings.

And it comes in the wake of the UK being placed in the highest coronavirus alert level – level five – for the first time, with warnings that the NHS could become overwhelmed in some areas if action wasn’t taken.

In an address, Ms Williams said: “As a government, we have decided to bring decision-making on schools and colleges into line with our three-week review table.

“That means that we will next review the situation on January 29 and remote learning will continue until at least then.

“Unless we see a significant reduction in transmission before

January 29, then remote learning would have to continue until our next review date, which coincides with the February half-term.

“Vulnerable children and children of critical workers will have access to their usual school or college.

“During this period, we will work together to look at all the possibilities for a phased and safe return of some pupils, such as those studying for qualifications, or the youngest children who find distance learning the most difficult.”

She added: “We are taking this action today because this new variant is far more infectious and is leading to increased numbers of people being hospitalised.

“Schools and colleges have been safe and secure environments throughout the pandemic and that continues to be the case.

“However, the latest TAC report is clear on education’s contribution.

“We know that school and college settings can contribute to wider social mixing outside the education environment and, right now, we all have to play our part in suppressing this virus.”