Teachers ‘risked infection at schools without soap’

TEACHERS are risking their lives keeping schools open for key workers’ children without supplies of soap and protective equipment, one has claimed.

Secondary school teacher Anjum Peerbacos hit out after Education Secretary Gavin Williamson wrote an open letter thanking teaching staff for their “vital service”.

Responding to his letter, the Londonbased

teacher said: “Talk is cheap. Where was the support for these frontline workers, who were caring for key workers’ children, who were probably carriers of the virus if they live with the key workers, but didn’t know [as] testing has only just begun?

“Are these teachers/site staff/ catering staff/admin staff, then not at risk? Where was the supply of hand sanitiser, soap, tissues, paper towels, gloves and masks?”

It came after Mr Williamson urged school staff to go to “exceptional lengths” to help fight coronavirus.

He said they would “rightly take their place next to our NHS staff and other critical workers as central to our country’s efforts in battling this virus”.

A Department for Education spokesman said yesterday: “The Secretary of State made clear in his letter to schools his intent to work with the sector to understand their concerns and to do everything in his power to support them.

“Schools are an essential part of our fight against coronavirus, as they step up to care for vulnerable young people and the children of critical workers.”