Where’s the plan?

Build Nightingale schools now

AT LEAST schools and teachers have two months to prepare for the resumption of lessons for all pupils from September onwards. That much can be said about the guidance confirmed by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson following a briefing to a national newspaper.

There’s also recognition that there needs to be a more flexible approach over social distancing and a number of contingencies are in place if pupils, or staff, test for Covid-19.

But Mr Williamson’s approach takes insufficient account of the additional costs that will be incurred by cash-strapped schools – whether it be extra cleaning or remedial lessons for those in self-isolation.

It overlooks the extra teachers required to preside over a longer school day – where is the national campaign to entice former tutors back into the classroom or recruit graduates to plug the gaps?

And it neglects the physical constraints posed by certain buildings, even with relaxed distancing measures in place. Put simply, many schools will still not have the room, with the best will in the world, to meet these necessary requirements unless extra space can be provided – whether it be temporary classrooms, libraries or nearby community centres.

In short, the same effort put into the construction of Nightingale Hospitals at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic now needs to be applied to schools with the provision of portable classrooms that can be moved from school to school where necessary.

Yet time is already of the essence – another lesson that Mr Williamson has still to learn if there’s not to be a ‘lost generation’ of young people.