Teachers’union calls for safety assurances

Schools across Renfrewshire must be shown the scientific evidence that it is safe to reopen before August, the country’s leading teachers union has said.

The Education Institute of Scotland ( EIS) has called for complete transparency around the decision to fully reopen schools next month and has called on the Scottish Government to publish the evidence that proves it is safe to do so.

EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said the government must lay out what role PPE and testing will play to keep staff safe.

He said: “The EIS is strongly of the view that if a full pupil return is enabled in August by continued suppression of the virus, schools still need to be Covid-secure, which means ensuring that mitigations are in place such as pro-active testing of staff, enhanced cleaning and hygiene practices, social distancing between adults and effective ventilation systems in place.”

He added: “The EIS believes there should be complete t ransparency about the scientific evidence being used. Additionally, the Scottish Government should commit to the funding required to employ the staffing needed to support pupil recovery.”

Renfrewshire Council was initially told to plan for a blended learning return to lessons, where pupils would spend two days in school and the remainder of the school week learning at home.

But the Scottish Government changed its course last month, stating schools would reopen fully on August 11.

Education Secretary John Swinney will make a statement next week on the proposed opening, with a further review of the plans scheduled to take place before the end of the month.