Unions hit out over the latest covid guidelines
Education unions have hit out at what they say is a bid by the Government to micro-manage the wearing of face masks in schools.
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi has told MPs he will personally vet any plans to bring back masks in classrooms – saying he has agreed with local directors of public health that in the event of “extraordinary” local Covid spikes, they will consult with him before recommending the reintroduction of face masks in schools.
He said this is so the Government can “assess evidence and data to ensure any extra measures are proportionate”.
Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the NEU teaching union, said: “Schools and colleges who take the decision to keep face coverings as a requirement in classrooms will have done so following a risk assessment, and with the head using his or her professional judgement and knowledge about what's best for the school to protect face-to-face education.
“That Whitehall would seek to micromanage such decisions seems utterly unnecessary, if not bizarre.”
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said schools had been “put in a potentially difficult position” with Prime Minister Boris Johnson's announcement on Wednesday that face masks would no longer be needed in classrooms from Thursday.
He said: "The Government's own guidance says that directors of public health may advise that face masks are needed in classrooms in response to local circumstances.”
The PM urged teachers to follow the latest rules.