Lockdown: ‘Schools in better position’ to deal with home learning

Schools are in a much better position to deal with home learning during this lockdown than previously, union leaders have claimed.

As the majority of pupils in Scotland prepare to be taught at home until at least February, teaching unions are confident lessons learned from the previous lockdown will mean pupils will see an improvement.

Greg Dempster, general secretary of the Association of He a d t e a c h e r s and Deputes in Scotland (AHDS), is one of those confident correct provisions are in place.

“Schools are in a much better position than they were in March because they have the experience of dealing with remote learning and have also had time to think about how they could improve what they were doing,” he said.

“I think that pupils and families will experience a different level of engagement than they had previously so hopefully people will see an improvement.”

Before the start of the school year in August, preparations had been under way for pupils to be taught via blended learning.

Although this was put on hold as pupils returned to school full time, Mr Dempster believes it can be of use in the c urrent lockdown.

The AHDS general secretary also welcomed the extension to the festive break, giving schools time to prepare.

“It’s really important that the government decided to have planning time at the start of this session because the decision was so late at the end of the last session.

“That planning time this week before the remote learning starts is extremely important as it gives schools a bit of space to make sure it is as it needs to be.”

The Scottish Government previously announced a £9 million scheme aimed at delivering 25,000 laptops to children across Scotland.

However, concerns were raised by opposition MSPS after it was revealed as of July 2020 none of the laptops had been handed out.

In her statement to parliament on Monday, Nicola Sturgeon said more than 50,000 devices have since been distributed.

Of these, close to 2,000 have been delivered to pupils across Angus.

A spokesman for Angus Council said: “All requested Chromebooks, ipads and mobile wi-fi dongles (around 1,900 devices in total) via the government scheme have been delivered to schools and distributed to identified children and young people.

“This was completed in November. Schools may also be making their own local arrangements in respect of the use and distribution of other devices.”

Fife Council’s head of education and children’s services, Angela Logue, confirmed more than 4,000 devices have been distributed throughout the kingdom.

A further 1,000 devices are expected to be sent out in the next two weeks.

The local authority also said c o n n e c t i v i ty solutions have also been provided to improve internet access.

Pe r t h and Kinross Council confirmed more than 900 devices will be ready for pupils and families to use when remote learning begins on Monday.

A spokeswoman said: “By the start of the new term more than 950 new ipads and laptops will have been prepared and delivered to schools for distribution to children and young people ensuring that all those who have been identified by schools are digitally included.”

Figures for Dundee City were not immediately available.

ADVANTAGE: Unions say that schools are better placed to help pupils because of lessons learned from the previous lockdown.