‘Too many pupils in school’ blamed for Covid increase
CONCERN OVER CASES IN CHILDREN
TOO many children still attending primary school during lockdown has been blamed for a sharp rise in the number of coronavirus cases among young children.
A survey published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) on Friday, January 22, shows coronavirus rates are rising fast among primary school-age children.
In September, there were 110 cases of coronavirus per 100,000 pupils aged two to Year 6, compared with 2,010 cases per 100,000 pupils on January 16.
The National Education Union (NEU) says it is because “too many pupils are still being taught in school” during lockdown.
A fifth of primary pupils are being taught in schools during this third lockdown, compared with less than one in 50 pupils being in schools during the first lockdown last year.
The survey reveals coronavirus infection among secondary pupils is falling – and the NEU says this is because only 1 in 25 secondary pupils are being educated in school.
The NEU is now calling on the Government to “strengthen the lockdown” to reduce coronavirus in nursery and primary schools.
Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the NEU, said: “This survey is of great concern. It confirms the worries of the NEU and many others that this lockdown has not been strict enough.
“It is not surpris- ing that coronavirus is back on the rise and that it is rising fastest among primary-age pupils.
“Nurseries are open to all pupils and a fifth of primary pupils are being taught in school.
“During the lockdown last spring, fewer than one in 50 pupils were being taught in school.
“It is welcome that coronavirus infection among secondary pupils is falling and this is because only one in 25 secondary pupils are being educated in school.
“The Government this report and must cannot ignore act to stop the role of schools in the transmission of coronavirus.”
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on January 4, only children of critical workers and vulnerable children and young people should attend school or college.
All pupils in special schools and alternative provision are eligible to attend as vulnerable children. All other pupils and students should receive remote education.
In the East Riding, attendance levels currently average between 35 and 50 per cent daily, with Hull City Council reporting “varying” attendance, at around 20 per cent.
Nationally, according to the Government, attendance on January 13 was 21 per cent in statefunded primary schools, 5 per cent in state-funded secondary schools and 30 per cent in state-funded special schools.
Attendance is higher now, than in March to May 2020, where on-site attendance was around 4 per cent in state-funded primaries, 1 per cent in state-funded secondaries and 8 per cent in state-funded special schools in May 2020.
The survey shows in England, the percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus remained high, but decreased slightly in the week ending January 16.
This confirms the worries of the NEU and that this lockdown has not been strict enough
Dr Mary Bousted