Backlash as Halloween discos axed at schools
PUPIlS have been left devastated after school Halloween discos were cancelled for the second year in a row.
The pandemic put paid to last year’s celebrations, where youngsters traditionally dress up as ghouls and ghosts.
However, they had expected the fancy dress fun would return this year as restrictions eased.
Following the latest disappointment, parents have reacted angrily, questioning why nightclubs and football stadiums can open, but school events cannot go ahead.
Guidance from the Scottish Government advises that staff should continue to avoid assemblies or large groupings of children to reduce the risk of Covid spreading in schools.
This has led to many sites across Tayside and Fife opting to scrap Halloween celebrations such as discos for the second consecutive year.
The official guidance had been expected to change for pupils returning after the October break.
But Education Secretary ShirleyAnne Somerville has confirmed precautions will remain in place for the foreseeable future. Protesting online, one Fife parent said they had been told a one-hour Halloween disco ‘can no longer go ahead’.
They asked: ‘If nightclubs are open and football stadiums are full and the kids are now mixing much more at school, why on Earth can a one-hour school disco not go ahead in a large gym hall?’
Another Fife parent said staff at their son’s school had advised parents there would be ‘no Halloween discos’ due to the Government guidance.
Shelagh Mclean, head of education and children’s services at Fife Council, has stressed that schools are continuing to follow Scottish Government and public health guidance.
She said: ‘Restrictions are still in place in our schools on the advice of the Scottish Government and public health professionals because most children in our schools are unvaccinated. The Government and medical community would like to see what impact the removal of restrictions is having in the wider community before taking that step in our schools and nurseries.
‘This is to help lower the risk of Covid-19 being passed on in our school communities and keep everyone safe.
‘Schools are being as creative as they can be within the guidance to make sure children don’t miss out.’
Perth and Kinross Council said it also continues to follow the Government guidance. A spokesman said: ‘Our focus for schools is on learning and teaching, particularly after the disruption of the coronavirus pandemic over the last 18 months.
‘We are therefore continuing to follow Scottish Government guidance, which states that while schools no longer require to keep consistent groupings or bubbles, assemblies and other types of large group gatherings should still be avoided.
‘This precautionary approach is in line with retaining the existing mitigation measures.’
The Scottish Government said schools are best able to decide if Halloween discos should go ahead.
A spokesman said: ‘Covid measures based on expert public health advice are in place to keep pupils and staff safe. They are reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure they remain appropriate. Schools are best placed to consider how pupils can safely enjoy Halloween in ways that are compatible with those mitigations.’
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