Adviser says blended learning in schools worst-case scenario

The Scottish Government has planned for the “worst-case scenario” with its blended learning plans, a member of Nicola Sturgeon’s expert advisory group on education has said.

Lindsey Watt, one of the Scottish Government’s International Council of Education Advisers, said if Covid19 infection rates can be kept low over the summer “there are high hopes we may return to nearer normal levels of attendance in August”.

The former head teacher’s comments came after the first minister suggested on Wednesday that schools may be able to open with “nearer normality” in August, depending on how successful efforts to suppress coronavirus have been.

Ms Sturgeon told MSPS she will “move Heaven and Earth” to try to achieve that, describing the blended learning plans as a “contingency”.

As it stands, schools will open up again on August 11, with councils planning for children only to have faceto-face teaching in classrooms some of

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The Scottish Government issued guidance based on scientific advice. LINDSEY WATT

the time, with the rest of their learning done at home.

With some children only spending one day a week in a classroom, the proposals have prompted anger from parents.

Ms Watt told BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme: “What we have planned for is a worstcase scenario for August.”

She stressed safety is at the forefront of the plans, saying: “The Scottish Government issued guidance based on scientific advice and international experience on how school communities could return to their buildings after Covid-19.

“Lots of people, including the International Council, the Education Recovery Group, parents, local authorities, have been consulted on how that might look.

“At the forefront of all of these meetings it was the health and safety of Scotland’s children, school staff and local communities that were given the highest priority.”