TESTS FOR ALL HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS TO STOP VIRUS SPIKE
Every child at secondary school to be screened to stop threat of virus spike
ALL secondary school pupils could be asked to test themselves for Covid amid fears of a possible spike in cases following the return to classrooms.
The only pupils currently being offered self-screening kits are the small number of S4-S6 students who are in school for practical work they cannot do at home.
But with all secondary children due back at their desks part-time from a week tomorrow, Scottish Government scientists say testing could be radically expanded.
Their latest advice for the return suggests extending voluntary testing to pupils as young as 11 to help curb the spread of the virus.
The experts ‘noted and welcomed that lateral flow device (LFD) testing will be in place for all staff and senior phase young people as part of the phased return’.
They said: ‘There may be value in extending this approach to all secondary-age pupils in some circumstances, for example, in areas of higher prevalence.’
But last night, general secretary of the EIS teaching union Larry Flanagan said: ‘There would need to be further discussion around any introduction of self-testing for younger secondary pupils both in terms of the practicalities and also certain ethical considerations. Selftesting is just one tool and must be used with a range of other mitigations, including physical distancing among pupils, use of face coverings and ensuring there is improved ventilation in schools to combat airborne spread of infection.’
Tens of thousands of Scottish pupils have had no in-school learning since before Christmas, after fears over mutant strains of Covid delayed their return to class.
Nursery children and those in P1-P3 returned full-time on February 22, along with a limited number of S4-S6 pupils.
Under plans initially unveiled by the Government, younger secondary pupils would not have gone back until after Easter.
However, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon performed an apparent U-turn last week, and announced that all secondary pupils should receive at least some face-to-face teaching from March 15.
Teaching unions have expressed fears over the possible risk of transmission of the virus.
However, the latest advice from experts on the Covid-19 Advisory Sub-Group on Education and Children’s Issues states: ‘Trends in the school population largely reflect those of the community at large and teachers were found to be at lower risk of having severe Covid19 than the adult population.
‘There was also no evidence school staff had more coronavirus antibodies compared to published estimates for the general population.’
The experts added: ‘The main area of concern when returning to inperson learning is not an increase in transmission within schools or ELC [early learning centre] settings, it is the wider impact on the R [number, the average number of people each Covid-positive person goes on to infect], resulting from changes in behaviour, such as parents returning to work or mixing as a consequence of school return.’
They warned that a rise in transmission could mean schools are closed again, saying: ‘It remains important to monitor the impact of the phases very carefully as any change could push the R number back above 1. This would not be an acceptable public health risk.’
Public Health Scotland figures show that in the two weeks up to February 21, more than 3,000 senior pupils took a home test.
Only three tested positive, though this had not been confirmed by a more accurate PCR test by the end of the reporting period.
More than 36,000 school staff selftested, with 25 confirmed positive.
Jo Bisset, the organiser for UsForThem Scotland, which campaigns for children to return to school full-time, said: ‘The issue of testing should be a decision solely for parents and pupils. If they want to be tested, then that’s something
‘Discussion around ethical considerations’
that should be available. But, equally, they have every right not to be and to be allowed to continue school as normal.
‘Schools are safe and so are children – that has been highlighted in repeated studies here and abroad.
‘The Scottish Government needs to stand up to people who want to make it harder for kids to get back to school.’
Margaret Wilson, chairman of the National Parent Forum of Scotland, said: ‘[Testing] probably would be welcomed by most parents.’
Scottish Tory education spokesman Jamie Greene said: ‘[We] called for voluntary Covid-19 testing for all pupils last month. I welcome that the SNP Government seem to have caught up, if a little late.
‘Rapid home kits should be offered so no one feels pressured and parental consent is secured.
‘Regular testing will keep our schools as safe as possible and is key to having our pupils perma
nently back in classrooms.’ On testing rates, a Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘As more teachers and pupils return to schools, we expect uptake of the asymptomatic testing offer to rise.
‘We are working with [youth information service] Young Scot and others on messaging to encourage eligible young people to take up the offer if they can.’
On the possible expansion of testing for secondary school students, the spokesman added: ‘Testing is targeted at where it is likely to be most effective.
‘The arrangements in schools are being kept under review.’