Part-time warning for pupils’ return
Union chief also says class sizes will need cut
Plans to bring children back to school are being drawn up by South Lanarkshire Council – but they won’t be implemented any time soon.
Councils have been asked by the Scottish Government to plan for a “recovery phase” and the changes that may be needed to reopen schools.
Following an update from EIS (Educational Institute Scotland) general secretary Larry Flanagan, it is becoming increasingly likely that schools won’t reopen until August and the end of the summer break at the earliest.
Mr Flanagan said: “Work is being progressed at pace, although no major decisions have been made, as yet.
“What is clear is that when schools reopen, physical class size limits will need to be cut dramatically in order to comply with social distancing and other health guidelines.
“Pupils will not be returning to full-time in-school learning for the foreseeable future.
“A blended approach, with some continuation of remote learning being in place, is inevitable. How this might work, is precisely what is under discussion.”
It is understood that councils across Scotland are considering a range of different measures. South Lanarkshire Council wouldn’t confirm what measures they have been looking into but did say planning for a return to school was underway.
Executive Director of Education Resources, Tony Mcdaid, said:
“First Minister Nicola Sturgeon set out the Scottish Government’s strategic plan in their publication entitled, ‘Covid 19 - A framework for decision-making’ (www.gov.scot/ coronavirus-covid-19), which looks at the challenges that lie ahead for all of us.
“While it is clear that the Scottish Government are not planning to re-open schools and educational settings fully anytime soon, we are being asked to consider what a ‘recovery’ phase may look like for all of us.
“We are currently engaging in dialogue with all of our key partners on how we approach this phase, ensuring we take into account national advice and guidance and acting in the best interests of our staff, pupils and communities.”
Lanarkshire is planning for a ‘recovery’ phase to get children back to school