Absence rates soar in returning schools across Fife.

Absenteeism in Scotland for Covid-related reasons as testing demands soar

More than 22,000 children were absent from school for reasons related to coronavirus on a single day last week.

Figures released by the Scottish Government showed 3.61% of schoolchildren across Scotland were absent on Wednesday.

Reasons included positive test results, self-isolation, quarantining or parents not sending them to school against public health guidance.

The data was released after it emerged there was a surge in tests for children, with 17,500 tested during the first full week of term. Only 49 of those – 0.3% – had the virus.

As common colds and other bugs afflict children mingling for the first time in months, there are concerns pupils have been sent, or kept, home with symptoms other than those associated with the virus.

No local authority breakdown of the absence figures was provided but Angus Council said attendance at its primary schools dropped to 95.95% in the first full week of term, compared to 97.06% during the same period last year.

Perth and Kinross Council said its schools had a “slight increase” in absence rates.

Fife Council and Dundee City Council were asked for their figures but did not respond.

Parents group UsForThem Scotland claimed pupils were being forced to selfisolate.

Co-ordinator Jo Bisset said: “We are concerned that the ongoing disruption to pupils’ education is going to have a huge impact on attainment.

“We would like to highlight the risk to senior school pupils sitting exams in 2021.

“It is clear that some pupils are going to be affected by repeated school closures and enforced self-isolation which means that they will be justifiably angry when their exam results are badly affected.

“We must make sure schools stay open and only unwell pupils are kept out.”

Professor Jason Leitch, national clinical adviser, wrote to parents yesterday to spell out the difference between symptoms of the common cold and coronavirus.

The main symptoms of the virus are a new continuous cough, a fever or high temperature and a loss or change in the sense of smell and taste.

Prof Leitch said: “Following the return of schools after a prolonged break, it is common for colds and similar viral infections to circulate.

“In many cases, children will be well enough to attend school and continue their learning with little or no interruption to their education.

“In other cases, for instance where they have quite a heavy cold, they may need to take a day or two off to recover.

“This is not the case for children and young people with potential Covid19 symptoms – they are required to self-isolate and seek a test though nhs.inform.scot or by calling 0800 028 2816.”

He said if a child has no Covid-19 symptoms but has “cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose” they do not need a test and can go to school if well enough.