Call for remote learning round school holidays

CLOSURE of schools before the Christmas holiday is being pursued in Dundee despite the Scottish Government ruling out a longer break.

The local branch of the Educational Institute of Scotland wants schools in the city to shut on December 18.

The union also wants their reopening delayed until January 11.

School children would be taught remotely on the days outside the fortnight break, they say.

Many teachers are angry that changes considered by the government which could have resulted in schools being closed from December 18 until January 11 were rejected.

A holiday extension or remote learning days were proposed to help prevent the spread of coronavirus after relaxed restrictions over Christmas and to prevent holiday disruption for senior staff involved in contact tracing.

It would also have enabled teachers to isolate for six days before mixing with family members.

School holidays run from December 24 to January 6 in Dundee, Angus and Perth and Kinross.

Dundee EIS secretary David Baxter said: “The EIS think there are a lot of compelling reasons for a shift to remote learning either side of the planned holidays.

“This would not be an extension to the holidays, we would still be providing teaching and learning for pupils to ensure there is continuity of education.

“This is a measure which would make us feel safe– for teachers, for parents and for pupils.”

Deputy First Minister John Swinney’s announcement was a “blow” to teachers who believed changes would be made to the holiday period, said Mr Baxter.

Mr Swinney, who is education secretary, spoke on Tuesday of concerns about tired head teachers being asked to trace contacts of confirmed Covid cases on

Christmas Day and of the possibility of the virus recirculating when schools reopened after increased social interaction over the festive season.

But on Thursday he said public health advice was that there would be greater risk of transmission if children were mixing socially outside school during an extended break than in the controlled environment of school buildings.

A Dundee City Council spokesman said: “The council will speak directly to the trade unions about the issues that they want to discuss.

“We are also looking closely at arrangements with the health protection team from NHS Tayside that may be needed for contact tracing during the holiday period.”