Clarity vital for schools to return
CLEAR guidance on how to reopen schools is essential for teachers, pupils and parents to be confident it is safe to return, according to Scotland’s head teachers.
A survey of more than 1500 heads and deputies by the EIS union found 92.2 per cent believe “clarity” about the new school year is critical for it to be workable.
Almost threequarters (72.9 per cent) said teachers have to be given enough time to prepare a blend of online and in-person teaching ahead of any return.
Heads also were sceptical about whether pupils can successfully socially distance when they are back at school, with one response suggesting it is “impossible” for younger pupils.
The vast majority of teachers and head teachers (94.8 per cent) who responded agreed with the union’s conditions that have to be met before schools can reopen.
These include the capacity for test, trace and isolate, changes to ensure social distancing and enhanced hygiene,
BY TOM EDEN and “transparent” evidence that the virus’s spread is under control.
Concerns were also expressed about the mental wellbeing of pupils, the difficulties in ensuring schools are being sufficiently cleaned to reduce the risk of infection and issues impacting on pupils’ home learning.
EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “Senior management teams are now engaged in detailed planning for the safe reopening of schools.
“As the results of this survey indicate, head teachers and deputies have identified many challenges that must be overcome to enable this and the move to a blended approach to happen.
“School senior management teams have a huge responsibility in terms of their duty of care to staff and pupils alike, and this is clearly reflected in their significant concerns over the potential physical, mental health and educational impact of the Covid-19 crisis.”