‘Significant challenges ahead’ for schools

DUNDEE City Council chiefs have warned “significant challenges” lie ahead for schools and children’s services.

In a report due to go before the children and families services committee, school staff in Dundee have been praised for ensuring nurseries, primaries and secondaries have reopened.

But as restrictions are eased and pupils are back full-time, councillors have warned the city should not be complacent in the battle against Covid-19.

Committee convener Stewart Hunter said: “Everyone in our children and families services has played a crucial role throughout lockdown and continues to do so. I would like to thank them all for their efforts.

“Nobody is in any doubt significant challenges lie ahead not only for the service, but for the entire city. The outbreak at Kingspark and the emergence of other pupil cases demonstrates we cannot be complacent and the virus is continuing to have an impact.”

Since the return of pupils last month, a total of 45 cases of Covid-19 have been identified in schools across Dundee. To deal with any potential outbreaks, an incident response team is working alongside public health and NHS experts. Mechanisms for fast track testing where required have also been put in place alongside protocols for cleaning with Tayside Contracts.

Dundee school staff have also been thanked for their efforts in lockdown, which included eight community support centres being established.

These support hubs had about 650 pupils attending them on a daily basis.