New rules as pupils return to classroom

The councillor who chairs the region’s education committee has said she hopes the requirement for secondary school pupils to wear face coverings in class will be dropped “in the near future”.

Perth and Kinross pupils returned to class on Wednesday, August 18, with the majority of the Scottish Government’s Covid-19 measures remaining in place for at least six weeks.

Secondary pupils will still need to wear face coverings in class, with physical distancing between staff reduced to at least one metre rather than two.

Conservative councillor Caroline Shiers convenes PKC’s lifelong learning committee.

She said: “Face coverings will continue to be a feature of school life for some time to come and I very much hope that we can see that restriction eased in the near future, especially as the vaccination roll-out has reached such high numbers and we are now seeing 16 and 17 year-olds being vaccinated.

“I think that the ability for young people to be able to sit in their classrooms without wearing a face covering, as we can all do in cafés and restaurants, would make a big difference to their school day and signal a return to more normality for young people.”

Cllr Shiers thanked staff and pupils for their “impressive” ability to adapt to changes in what has been “a very disrupting and unnerving period for all of us, but for children and young people it has been a particularly tough time.”

She added: “I have felt especially sad for those who have been going through transitions either from nursery to primary, primary to secondary or secondary on to college or university or into work.”

One of the biggest changes as pupils return will be the removal of the requirement to maintain groups, or “bubbles”, in school.

In addition to wearing face coverings in classrooms, masks will continue to be worn by staff and pupils in communal areas, when moving around the school and on school transport.

PKC has said enhanced cleaning, ventilation and hygiene measures will remain in place and advised pupils to dress appropriately as windows will be open.

Asymptomatic tests will continue to be available to staff and pupils with Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) being provided to help reduce the transmission of the virus.

Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 or displays symptoms, and anyone identified as a close contact, should self-isolate and get a PCR test as soon as possible.

But, in a change from previous guidance, if pupils are over five, test negative and continue not to have symptoms they can return to school.

Under fives do not need to self-isolate if they remain symptom-free.

A spokesperson for the council said: “As always, the health and wellbeing of children, young people and staff in our schools is always a key priority for us.

“We have provided appropriate local guidance to schools in line with national guidance from the Scottish Government, which includes management of the school day, physical distancing and the use of face coverings.

“Individual schools are in the process of contacting parents and carers regarding their specific arrangements.

“During the previous period, when secondary pupils were in school, young people’s general levels of support for physical distancing and use of face coverings, and their respect for others’ circumstances was very encouraging.

“In terms of isolation, Test and Protect will identify close contacts of anyone suffering from Covid-19 and those contacts will be required to self-isolate.

“However only those who have been specifically identified will need to selfisolate.

“We are using posters in schools, social media and regular communications with parents and young people, all encouraging them to apply these measures.”

Pupils are now also permitted to do all drama, music, PE and dance activities.