MP calls for catch-up classes for ‘Ice Age’ kids

THE CONSERVATIVE MP urging the government to launch a massive catch-up operation for children whose education has been severely hit by the pandemic believes Jewish schools will be at the forefront of a push to reopen.

Harlow MP Robert Halfon, chair of the Commons Education Select Committee, warned of a “potential Ice Age” for UK school-children over fears that their education has suffered since lockdown started in March.

Mr Halfon told the JC: “When you consider how the whole Jewish ethos is around the importance of education, it has been an incredibly hard time for schools, for families and for children.

“I haven’t yet seen the figures, but I suspect Jewish schools will be amongst the forefront of those now calling for a return.”

Mr Halfon led a cross-party demand for the government to set up a Nightingale Hospital-style plan to get schools back to capacity.

Robert Halfon

He called on the government to consider summer schools staffed by “charities, volunteers, graduates and former teachers” .

The MP, who is Jewish, added that he understood some parents would be concerned about the potential health risks of allowing their children back to school.

‘’I get it,’’ he said. ‘’But if you look around the world, to the World Health Organisation, to 22 European Union countries, the Chief Medical Officer — study after study shows there is minimal risk to going back.

He stressed that the Prime Minister and the schools minister had both said it was safe to return to school.

Mr Halfon had a particular message for Jewish parents.

“If you don’t want to send your children to school, I understand it. No-one who is shielding or ill, whether that be teachers, support staff or kids, should go to school.

“But you also have to balance the risks. There are other risks not being in school.

“There is a potential Ice Age in terms of their development, their learning. The effect on these children not learning , you could be damaging their life chances hugely.

“There could be an epidemic of educational poverty and a safeguarding crisis with children suffering possible online harm from predators, if they are not being supervised.”

He will meet teaching trade unions on Tuesday to discuss plans for schools reopening and the summer catch-up proposals.

Mr Halfon often thinks of the children he saw at the PaJeS Jewish School Awards in February.

“It was the very best of what Jewish schools can offer on stage that night. I can’t help think of those same children stuck at home, not learning, despite the best efforts of teachers to set them work.

‘’It is very depressing.”

I can’t help thinking of children stuck at home, not learning ’