Mums call for 2-metres apart By David Pilditch rule to be scrapped
A GROUP of mothers has issued an impassioned plea to the Government to ditch social distancing rules at schools to get children back into the classroom.
They have called for action without delay to allow children to lead “a normal life and re-establish friendships in familiar environments”.
Christine Brett, 48, Molly Kingsley, 41, Liz Morris, 46, have formed campaign group
UsforThem and a petition on their website usforthem.co.uk had attracted more than 8,500 signatures of support from parents and teachers.
They have also written to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson questioning whether the “long-term physical and mental welfare”’ of pupils has been taken into consideration. It comes amid growing concerns that delaying a return to school is “scarring the life chances of a generation of young people”.
The group of mothers, all from Cambridgeshire, are considering launching a legal challenge claiming human rights have been violated by “disproportionate” measures.
Christine, who has an 11-year-old daughter and a son aged nine, said: “There is ample evidence that
separating healthy children who have already been quarantined for three months and stopping them from playing together, is damaging to their learning and development, and prevents them from readjusting after a long period of enforced absence. ”
Children’s charity Buttle UK warned on the impact of the virus on the most disadvantaged children. Chief executive Joseph Howes said initiatives including proposals for more computers and internet access for the poorest children are welcome, but they must be “carefully thought through or they will not be effective”. He added: “The private sector has much to offer here.”
The Department for Education said the welfare of children and staff were “at the heart of all considerations”.