COVID-19 CLOSES CLASSES
»»Unprecedented shutdown starts tomorrow after pressure from teachers »»Thousands of pupils and families face chaos as Sturgeon calls for ‘flexibility’
SCHOOLS are being shut down across Scotland and the rest of the UK in an unprecedented move to stem the spread of coronavirus.
Pupils will lose access at the end of Friday, raising concern about exams, vulnerable children and parents working in key services.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the blanket schools closure after growing pressure from teachers.
At a briefing in Edinburgh, she said it had been the most difficult decision to take so far and could last into the summer holidays.
Sturgeon said: “At this stage, I cannot promise schools and nurseries will reopen after the Easter break. There will require to be a lot of local flexibility and we are working closely with local authorities to put those arrangements in place.
“Teachers, school staff and those in the nursery sector will have a vital role in the weeks ahead and we will work with you to minimise the impact on all our young people’s education, and in particular the most vulnerable groups.”
Scotland’s chief medical officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood, said current restrictions and advice were based on significant spreading of the virus.
She said: “The closure of schools is another measure which we know will enable the NHS to best keep the capacity for people becoming very sick.”
On a day of fast moving responses to the Covid-19 crisis:
Another person died from the virus in Scotland, bringing the total to three. There are 227 positive cases. ●Across the UK the death toll hit 104 after 32 more fatalities in England. ●Ferries, trains and buses are being scaled back.
Education Secretary John Swinney will spell out more details on the emergency schools plan today.
He will work with councils to address free school meals, how to continue coursework and deal with emergency service workers with children.
A spokesman for the Scottish Qualifications Authority said “every effort should be made to ensure schools remain partially open to allow senior phase pupils to complete learning and be able to submit coursework, in addition to being able to open as examination centres during the diet, should medical and scientific advice allow”.
There are 2502 schools in Scotland with more than 693,000 pupils and nearly 52,000 teachers.
Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the EIS teachers’ union, said: “The escalation of the situation, and the change to government advice earlier this week, led the EIS to the view that school closures were now an absolute necessity.
“This decision will be welcomed by our members, who have expressed growing concern in recent days over potential increased risk to the health of pupils, staff, their families and the wider community.”
Councils are looking at home-working solutions, but the EIS wants the Government to try
to keep some national provisions for all 32 local authorities.
Swinney was urged to use council workers from suspended services such as libraries and leisure centres to help deliver free school meals.
Green MSP Ross Greer said Royal Mail workers might also be able to help.
He added: “Scotland has the capacity to provide food to those who need it.
“Now we need to ensure families who depend on the support of breakfast clubs or free school lunches are not pushed into extreme difficulties by these closures.”
Scottish Conservative education spokesman Jamie Greene said: “It is vital that we put normal politics aside to support these decisions and work together on practical solutions to minimise the disruptive consequences of them.”
Meanwhile, the impact of the crisis continues to be felt across the country’s transport network.
Scottish Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said ScotRail has seen a 30 per cent drop in passengers since Monday. Buses are likely to have lost 20 per cent of passengers.
Matheson said the airline industry has seen “extreme pressure” with demand down 80 per cent.
He said there is “no way” existing CalMac ferry links in the Western Isles can be sustained at their present level. Medical goods and freight will be prioritised.