Fragile confidence as schools hit by Covid

The return of tens of thousands of pupils to Scottish classrooms was never going to be a simple task. In Tayside and Fife in recent days there has been a major Covid cluster identified at an additional support needs school in Dundee.

The outbreak at Kingspark forced its closure last week and it has now been confirmed that 21 members of staff, two pupils and four external contacts have contracted Covid.

It is a case that is causing consternation far beyond the school gates as pupils in England prepare to return to class.

There has also been smaller Covid clusters identified at a number of primary schools and at a nursery in Fife.

Each such outbreak eats into already fragile confidence among parents, teachers, school support staff and pupils.

Education Secretary John Swinney was correct to point out that incidents of Covid in the education network since schools returned on August 11 were low.

In an estate of more than 2,000 schools across Scotland that is welcome. But there is no place for complacency.

Every practical measure that can be introduced must be to protect the children, staff and parents and community.

In secondary schools where the risk to pupils from Covid is higher, it seems eminently sensible to follow new World Health Organisation guidance on the wearing of face masks as pupils move around the campus. That may be alien and uncomfortable for some, but it is for the greater good.

We must all get used to that concept.