Youngest pupils set for return to school after half-term
SCHOOLCHILDREN aged between three and seven in Wales will return to the classroom from February 22, the country’s education minister has confirmed and teachers will get coronavirus tests twice a week.
However, primary and secondary schools in Wales will look to use blended learning when older age groups are allowed to return to classrooms, the First Minister has said.
Mark Drakeford said the Welsh Government wanted all pupils back in classrooms as soon as possible but only for “some of the time”, with pupils expected to mix face-to-face teaching with online lessons.
Kirsty Williams said the post-half-term return was prioritised for the youngest learners because they were the least likely to transmit coronavirus, and had more pronounced difficulties with remote learning.
Ms Williams said children’s education was a “priority”, but that the country was “not yet in a position to be able to see a full return to school for every learner.
“However, thanks to people following our national guidance, there is sufficient headroom for us to bring back some of our learners in a phased, flexible and progressive way.”
Ms Williams said added movement around schools would contribute to the country’s R number, and made a plea for pupils, parents and carers to continue to follow guidelines.
She said: “I must be absolutely clear: we are told time and time again that our education premises are safe, but it is the added movement around them that contributes to the R number.
“So I must make a plea to all learners, parents and carers, please continue to follow the guidelines.
“By following the guidance restricting contact with others, we are ensuring children and young people are able to do what we all want, which is to be back learning with their friends.”
Asked about when older children would go back to school, Ms Williams said that this would be considered as part of the Welsh Government’s threeweekly lockdown review cycle.
The next review, she said, was on February 19.