Back to school

The country took its first step out of lockdown yesterday, but only a tentative one. Many primary schools failed to reopen to the relevant year groups, with teaching unions and Left-wing councils claiming that it was not “safe” for students to return. The evidence does not justify such excessive caution. The direct risk to children from Covid-19 is miniscule and countries that have restarted their education systems show that it need not lead to a second surge in infections.

If anything, the Government’s plans are not ambitious enough. Many children will not enjoy any formal face-to-face education for months, with unthinkable consequences for their long-term prospects. The plan to return all primary pupils this month is now under review.

The whole process has also become enveloped by bureaucracy. Some schools are saying that they have not had enough time to comply with the reams of official guidance designed to Covid-proof their facilities. But does the evidence really dictate that class sizes should be strictly limited to 15, or that pupils should be banned from bringing their pencil cases to lessons? Such rules are only likely to create obstacles to schools returning, while discouraging the exercise of common sense. Some social distancing will also be deeply upsetting to young children for no obvious benefit.

The Government has been wary of picking a fight on this issue, concerned that it will be portrayed as putting livelihoods ahead of lives. Yet the situation is too urgent for prevarication as there is no chance of restarting the economy until parents can go back to work. Is it really beyond the wit of the authorities to ensure that children can return to school before September?