Government must not be spooked into changing course

THROUGHOUT this pandemic the First Minister has asked us to stay the course and keep our discipline.

It’s now time for Nicola Sturgeon and her Government to do the same for the children of Scotland.

When they meet today to discuss further restrictions, keeping schools open must be at the very top of the priority list.

Ever since reopening in August, the Scottish Government has talked up the importance of children being in education. That remains the case, and families across Scotland cannot afford for this Government to be spooked by the new strain of Covid-19 when the evidence still shows teachers aren’t at more risk and children don’t generally transmit the disease.

If the First Minister caves to the unions and other selfish, vested interests, the damage caused to Scotland’s children will be irreparable.

For those from deprived areas and less fortunate backgrounds, it will be all the worse.

There is a vaccination process under way across the UK. If teachers are now deemed to be at more risk,

JO BISSET get them to the front of the queue for jabs to ensure schools stay open. If they are not at increased risk, there’s no more justification for closing schools now than there was in August.

Forcing children into isolation where they will experience, at best, a secondclass education will cause more harm than good.

Families may have to give up shifts or work altogether to look after them, plunging even more into poverty at the worst possible time.

That’s why parents and kids need the First Minister to stick to her guns and come good on her commitments – and keep the school gates open.