Our ventilation plans are not just a load of hot air
THE Scottish Government has hit back at claims by Labour that its school ventilation strategy is “farcical and dangerous”.
Nicola Sturgeon announced £10million in funding for councils to provide carbon dioxide monitoring to all schools and daycare services.
Announcing the move in August, the First Minister said: “Ventilation is one of the most important ways in which the risk of Covid transmission can be reduced – and so improving it will be vital, now and in the future, to ensure that schools and childcare centres are as safe as possible.”
But Labour claims not enough has been done, citing the Welsh Government’s move to provide 800 ozone disinfecting machines for every school, college and university.
The party’s education spokesman Michael Marra said: “The SNP Government has had all summer to act to improve ventilation, but far too little has been done.
“Winter is looming, with temperatures set to plummet. That the SNP’s ventilation strategy currently amounts to keeping the windows open is both farcical and dangerous.”
However, Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said councils had reported “good progress in addressing ventilation issues” in schools.
She added: “Our updated guidance, published in August, asked councils to complete assessments of their schools and early learning and childcare settings by October half-term wherever possible, subject to sufficient supplies of CO2 monitors being available for purchase.
“It also made clear that these assessments should be used to inform actions to improve ventilation where issues are identified.”