CORONA CRISIS We are playing Russian roulette HUBBY’S SCHOOL FURY Schadow AS TEACHER WIFE DIES
‘SCHOOLS HAVE TO GO BACK’
Night by the tiles
A GRIEVING husband whose teacher wife died from Covid-19 last night blasted Boris Johnson for playing “Russian roulette” with school workers’ lives.
Dr Louisa Rajakumari, 62, was among six staff to fall ill at Kingsford Community School in Beckton, East London.
The English teacher lost her fight with the disease in intensive care on April 17, leaving behind grandchildren aged just three and three months.
Now her husband, Dr Gladius Kulothunghan, 64, has criticised plans to reopen schools from next month – warning that teachers and children are at risk.
Dr Kulothunghan said: “I’m completely against this initiative of opening up any school.
“We are dealing with a very vicious virus that we don’t fully understand. It’s a gamble that could go either way. We are playing Russian roulette with the lives of children and staff.”
Louisa is one of at least 26 teachers, and 65 members of the education workforce, who are thought to have died from Covid-19 in the UK so far.
Louisa, mum to a grown-up daughter, fell ill in March after coming into contact with pupils who had returned from an exchange programme in China.
Dr Kulothunghan, a lecturer at the University of Wales, said: “Louisa was very angry with Boris for not going ahead with the lockdown earlier.
“She stopped me from going to my university two weeks before then. She said, ‘Do your work online’. She realised how easily the virus could transmit in schools, colleges and universities.”
Last weekend the PM announced that primary schools could be in a position to reopen in June, beginning with Reception, Year 1 and Year 6.
Dr Kulothunghan said: “I did not expect this from Boris after his own experience with coronavirus.
“The concept of social distancing cannot be drummed into the minds of young kids.”
Louisa was awarded the status of Fellow by the College of Teachers for helping pupils in London realise their potential.
She was also honoured for her commitment to raising disadvantaged pupils’ attainment.
Dr Kulothunghan added: “The first time Boris spoke to the nation about coronavirus he said, ‘Be prepared to lose your loved ones much before their time’.
“And, true enough, it came to pass with my wife passing away. I do not want that to be in vain.”