Pupils’ needs have always been priority

Readers of the PA and of my articles in the paper over thelast few months will have been unable to miss the senseof difficulty thataffects all of the decisions that have to be taken about handling coronavirus.

Every aspectof lifeis affected and the Scottish Government, like the governments in therest of the UK, ishaving to balancethe direct harm tothe health of the population thatiscaused by the virus againstthe multiple other social, economic and health harms caused by the implications of the virus.

Thatis very much the casein relation tothe sensitive decisions that are required about relaxing thelockdown.

Since March impressive compliance by the public during lockdownhashelped to reducethe number of COVID-19 cases and we are now successfully able to remove someof the restrictions.

And that progress is what has enabledmeto setoutthe government’s aim to reopen our schools to all pupils full-timein August.

Since May the number of infectious people in Scotland hasfallenfrom over 20,000 to 2000, a reduction of 90 per cent.

If we continuethis progress over the summer Ibelieve we shouldbeable to achieve ouraim of reopening schools full-time.

If we are notable to sustain that progress we will have to deploy the modelofblended learning that will offera mixtureof in-school and at-home learning.

I appreciate parental concerns aboutthe adequacy of this contingency plan butI wouldpointoutthatthis model deliverssome face-to-face teaching for all pupils, which we do not have at present.

Now I knowthatthe decisions taken by the governmentthis week get readily and swiftly translated intothe political languageof U-turns. FranklyI couldn’t care less aboutthese accusations.

My decisions have all been abouttrying to maximisethe educational opportunitiesfor young peopleincircumstances in which, with the wrong decisions, the health of wellbeing of pupils and school staff couldbe put injeopardy. Ihope people will understand thatis arisk Icannot take.

In addition to setting outan approach to resuming full-time educationI also announced very significant new investment from the government to aid recovery in educatio n .

We will spend £30 million purchasing digital devices and connectivityfor young peoplewho do not have access to devices toassist with their learning. We will also support the delivery of much more online learning material to support the school study ofyoung people.

We will also spenda further £100 million on supporting the recruitmentofnewly qualified teachers to make surethat we boost the sizeof the teaching workforce to assist with educational catch up.

Finally, I am very concerned aboutthe wellbeing ofyoung peoplein what hasbeen an incrediblystressful, anxious and worrying time. When our schools return they must be welcoming places, ready to understand the fears ofyoung peopleand prepared to support them incoming to terms with theexperiences of lockdown.

I knowourlocal schools are ready to meet those needs.

When our schools return they must be welcoming places