‘Masks in school should be for minimum time possible’
WALES’ Children’s Commissioner says masks being worn by pupils in schools should be “for the minimum time possible”.
Professor Sally Holland said young people and their parents have raised concerns with her about having to wear masks in secondary school classrooms, since they re-opened to more pupils from March 22.
She has written to Education Minister Kirsty Williams asking her to keep the policy under constant review.
Stricter Welsh Government guidance, implemented since schools re-opened, says masks should be worn by high school and college learners whenever they can’t socially distance, including in classrooms.
Previously pupils in secondary schools were asked to wear masks in all communal areas of school but not in the classroom.
Some parents who disagree with masks in schools have written to schools asking them not to require pupils wear masks.
Professor Holland said she has also been contacted by parents and pupils unhappy about the new mask policy.
“I’ve heard concerns from young people and parents this week about the impact wearing a mask all day has on well-being. I’ve raised with the Education Minister and asked that this current policy is kept under constant review and should remain for the minimum time possible,” she tweeted.
Professor Holland said yesterday that families and some young people have contacted her office about masks since more children started going back to school and she has also taken views from her youth advisory panel which includes 40 members from across Wales, representing 25 secondary schools.
“Opinions and experiences are varied, as you would expect. Some young people said they were just happy to be back at school, some say they feel more confident wearing a mask and some say they find masks uncomfortable and hot and it’s uncomfortable to wear them for such a length of time.
“This is a big step up wearing masks in the classroom, it’s a longer period of time and a really difficult balance and we need to know we are not going beyond what is absolutely necessary.
“My main plea (to Welsh
Government) is that they keep this under constant review and really think about the impact it’s having.”
Governors and head teachers have told Professor Holland’s team that the stricter mask policy is causing conflict with some parents and there is concern about how pupils with hearing impairment and those exempt from wearing masks are being affected.
There are also variations in how schools are enforcing wearing masks. Some schools are telling teachers to wear them when teaching even when they are two metres from pupils.
Kate Hughes from campaign group UsForThemCymru, which describes itself as campaigning for “schools to be open as normal” said parents have reported schools vary on how strict they are about enforcing the guidance.
“It seems a pretty mixed picture with some schools still wanting masks worn outside through to others being really supportive of personal choice.
“I am very glad to see the commissioner calling for them to be a mitigation for as short a time as possible,” she said.
Teenagers returning to school for the first time in three months on March 22 had mixed feelings about having to wear masks all day and in the classroom.
Some said they would do anything just to be back in school for face to face teaching and seeing friends.
Earlier this month more than 50 parents signed the letter to St Cyres School and Stanwell School in Penarth, saying they are unhappy about the Welsh Government requiring pupils to wear masks in the classroom in some circumstances.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Our guidance advises that face coverings should be worn in the classroom by staff and learners in secondary schools where social distancing arrangements cannot be maintained, as well as in all areas of the school building outside the classroom.
“If there are circumstances where a pupil is unable to wear a face covering, this is something they or their family can discuss with the school.
“We will continue to be guided by the latest scientific and medical advice as we keep this guidance under constant review.”