BREAK TIME’S OVER..
Education minister says extending Xmas holidays carries some risks
THE Christmas school holidays will not be extended to halt a post-festive season corona spike, school bosses have said.
Education Secretary John Swinney had been in talks to set longer dates to help keep a lid on the spread of coronavirus.
The Record revealed a leaked document last week outlining proposals to extend the break from December 18 to January 11.
But Swinney, who is also Deputy First Minister, confirmed to MSPs yesterday that the school holidays would remain at the currently planned two weeks.
He said: “I’ve written to the education and skills committee to confirm the government intends to make no change to the school holiday arrangements.”
The proposals had included an earlier break than usual and suggestions to move schools to a temporary remote learning system following the relaxation of strict coronavirus rules over five days in December.
In his letter, Swinney admitted there were “mixed views” on intervening to make changes. He also raised concern about vulnerable children and the impact on childcare for working parents.
Swinney said: “The public health advice I received is to keep schools open as planned as the controlled school environment is preferable to social mixing outside of school if schools are closed early.
“In addition, vulnerable children may be at greater risk if they’re out of school for an extended period.
“The chief social work adviser’s view is that being in school is a very significant protective factor for the most vulnerable children and the longer children are out of school, the more chance there is of hidden harm.
“Public health advice is, on balance, that there would be less transmission of Covid-19 through children and young people being in school than mixing out of school.
“Adding this to the issues around vulnerable children and the need for childcare for key workers’ children, public health advice is to not change term dates at either end.
“I’m also mindful an extension to the school holidays could cause significant difficulties for working parents.”
Swinney said school staff still need to have planned holidays without interruption due to any contact tracing for coronavirus.
Outbreaks at the end of term could lead to contact tracing just days later on Christmas.
The decision was criticised by teachers’ union the EIS, which had campaigned for remote learning in the final week of term.
EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “Allowing this would have helped protect staff, students and their families during the festive season and reduce the risk of pupils or teachers being required to selfisolate over Christmas, while also ensuring that education provision continued via remote learning.
“It would appear that this is yet another political decision by the Scottish Government, which may thank teachers but is unwilling to listen to them.
“The EIS would call upon the Scottish Government to make lateral flow tests available to school staff, so those hoping to share some time with potentially vulnerable family members can do so without fear of putting loved ones at risk.”
The original planning document, which was obtained by the Record, had been shared for discussion among council and government leaders.
It had stated: “The Scottish Government are exploring a national extension to Christmas holidays covering December 18 to January 11, either on the basis of schools remaining closed or the temporary introduction of remote learning.
“Scottish Government officials have indicated the objectives of an extension would be to ensure school staff are not involved in contact tracing into the Christmas period. An extension would act as a break following the wider relaxation of restrictions over the Christmas period.”
The memo, signed off by Cosla’s policy manager for children and young people, Matthew Sweeney, also contained concerns raised about the proposed changes.
Scottish Labour education spokesman Iain Gray welcomed the decision but condemned Swinney’s leadership.
He said: “The handling of this has
The government intends to make no change to school holiday
been another John Swinney car crash. It was the First Minister and Deputy First Minister who flew this kite at Covid briefings, leaving parents across Scotland to worry about more lost learning time and panic about childcare.
“From blended learning to SQA results, every decision about schools in the pandemic has been a shambles – and we still do not know if exams will go ahead.”
Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon has been urged to cancel Higher exams amid concerns about the impact of Covid on young people.
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick
Harvie said a decisionon on scrapping exams should bee made before the Christmas holidays.days.
He wants exams replacedced by a “robust system of continuousnuous assessment”.
Willie Rennie, the Scottishttish Lib Dem leader, said a “effec-ffective alternative” is needed.d.
Swinney has cancelledlled exams at National 5 level and is under pressure to make the same decision for Highersers and Advanced Highers.
Critics believe pupilsls from poorer backgroundsds would be disadvantagedd if an exams diet wentt ahead.