Shambolic road to schools’ reopening
After several long months, it was welcome news for many across Rutherglen and Cambuslang when schools returned last week.
For the first time since March, pupils got back to their desks and some form of normality and I’m thankful to our community for following the guidance that’s allowed this to happen.
Young people have suffered a significant amount of upheaval throughout this pandemic, and I am delighted that they can now return to a much-needed routine and a structured and supportive form of learning.
While I praise them, their parents and especially their teachers, I cannot extend similar praise to the Scottish Government. The path that led to this return has been shambolic.
First, teachers spent weeks planning on the basis of the blended learning model that Mr Swinney was adamant would work.
Then, the Education Secretary made his first of many U-turns, days before the school holidays, leaving teachers very little time to adapt their plans.
It was clear in May that most pupils would not be able to return safely until August, which left the government significant time to properly plan for that return.
Yet, that planning has been completely absent, as has proper consultation with pupils and parents.
I have been inundated with emails from those who are worried about a full return, especially given the removal of FACTS measures within the school environment.
Pupils can’t understand why they have to wear a facemask on a socially-distanced public bus, but not on the school bus. Those who have followed the rules by staying distanced from friends can now meet them all in the classroom, but not beyond the school gates.
The safety of our school environments must be absolutely paramount.
It is only thanks to the anger, passion and relentlessness of young people that John Swinney was forced to perform another U-turn on his exams fiasco, which saw hundreds of young people in Cambuslang and Rutherglen downgraded by the SQA and penalised for where they live.
A belated and forced apology was eventually forthcoming, but pupils should never have to take to the streets just to be awarded the grades they deserve.
This government has always said it wants to be judged on its record on education. Even without John Swinney’s dodgy system, it’s a fail.