Kids set to wear masks in school after latest U-turn
PM says heads CAN make kids wear face coverings, especially in virus spike areas Should our children be forced to put one on?
SCHOOLS will be able to order secondary pupils in England to wear masks in corridors when they go back next week after another “screeching” Government U-turn last night.
Boris Johnson finally caved in to mounting pressure from parents, teachers and unions to follow new WHO guidance and change the advice on face coverings.
From September 1, schools will have the discretion to order secondary pupils and staff to wear masks in corridors and other busy communal areas, where social distancing is difficult.
Face coverings will also become compulsory in communal areas in parts of the country where local lockdowns apply.
But masks will not be worn in the classrooms, where protective measures already mean the risks are lower, and where they can inhibit learning, the Department for Education said.
Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson announced the U-turn and said: “Our priority is to get children back to school safely.
“At each stage we have listened to the latest medical and scientific advice. We have therefore decided to follow the World Health Organisation’s new advice.
“In local lockdown areas, children in year 7 and above should wear face coverings in communal spaces. Outside of local lockdown areas, face coverings won’t be required in schools, though schools will have the flexibility to introduce measures if they believe it is right in their specific circumstances. I hope these steps will provide parents, pupils and teachers with further reassurance.”
Teaching unions had earlier called for “absolute clarity” before schools in England go back.
The Association of School and College Leaders’ general secretary Geoff Barton said: “If we’re going to having a screeching U-turn from the Government, could we have that now so we can plan for the start of term?”
Yesterday afternoon, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that from Monday secondary school pupils north of the border would wear masks in corridors and communal areas.
She was following the WHO guidance that over-12s should cover their faces where they were unable to stay one metre apart.
And the Prime Minister had said: “If we need to change the advice then of course we will.” In Northern Ireland, pupils are encouraged to wear masks. Wales will make a decision on it today.
Mr Barton said: “The evidence is clearly evolving on this issue and it is important that it is kept under review and that clear direction is provided to schools.”
Labour Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green said: “There is a growing body of evidence that the use of face masks in communal areas in secondary schools helps protect students and staff.
“The Prime Minister must listen to this evidence and act quickly.
“The last thing concerned parents and pupils need is another last-minute U-turn from this Government that throws school plans into chaos.”
School leaders in England were ready to impose their own measures regardless of the No10 advice.
Steve Chalke, founder of Oasis Community Learning, which has 52 academies, said giving pupils visors and masks for moving between lessons made schools “as Covid-safe as possible”.
He said: “This isn’t in rebellion against the Prime Minister.”
The National Education Union joint general secretary Kevin Courtney said: “When the World Health Organisation says that children over 12 should wear masks in communal areas at school, that ought to be listened to.”
THE British people have done great work through the lockdown in getting Covid cases down, and that means it is the right time to open schools more widely.
But the virus has not gone away. Scotland listened to the World Health Organisation and mandated masks for over-12s in corridors and communal spaces.
Obviously, wearing masks can be disruptive, but if they keep transmission of the virus down, then they might just head off a future school lockdown. Staff, parents and students are worried about whether their school is going to be safe when they go back next week.
The NEU has been working closely with school leaders to ensure they are safe, but if face masks can build confidence and reduce stress, then of course people should have them.
WE know very little about the benefits of masks in children and young people, and we can’t simply assume that data on adults will also apply to children.
Given the evidence that young children play a limited role in transmission, there is little to suggest that under-12s need to wear masks in school or elsewhere.
Decisions about whether secondary school students should wear masks in corridors and common areas are less clear cut. While there is evidence older children may be able to transmit Covid-19 as much as adults, there is little real world evidence of transmission of the virus taking place in secondary schools.
In the face of uncertainty, governments should make decisions in the best interests of children, but recognise these may need to change as the scientific evidence evolves.