Sickness bug strikes staff at primary school
A VOMITING bug has struck down a dozen teachers from one Glasgow primary school, forcing more than half of pupils to stay at home.
Parents of pupils in primaries four to seven of Merrylee Primary School received a text from education authorities on Sunday afternoon warning that classes would be cancelled.
The school made the decision to keep classes running for those in primaries one to three after drafting in senior education staff to cover.
However angry parents have complained about the situation, questioning supply teaching levels and raising concerns about how they will find childcare.
In a statement, a Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said: “Merrylee Primary School will be closed to primary four to seven pupils today due to widespread sickness among staff.
“Twelve staff are currently ill with sickness and diarrhoea.
“Senior staff will be drafted in from the education department to help run the school for primaries one to three tomorrow.”
The spokeswoman added: “Apologies for this unavoidable inconvenience, however, please make alternative childcare arrangements tomorrow if your child is in P4 to P7 at the school.
“Notice has also been given via the school’s text messaging network and social media.
“We hope to reopen the school to all pupils on Tuesday.”
Angry parents hit out at the decision on social media and demanded to know why there is no supply staff available to cover for the sick teachers
Parent Katie Kean said: “Surely this can’t be right. That means two of mine can go and one can’t.
“Either shut the whole school or get teachers in.”
Sandie Gray added: “Don’t they have supply teachers now? That seems quite ridiculous.”
As previously reported by the Evening Times, a highly infectious vomiting bug Shigellosis has been causing problems in schools across the country.
The bacteria causes chronic diarrhoea and sickness, and parents have been urged to look out for the warning signs.
A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said: “There is a national shortage of supply staff and the education department can’t guarantee that they’ll be able to get the numbers required in these exceptional circumstances and at short notice.
“Pupil safety is our top priority and that is why the decision has been made to close the school to P4-7.”