Ministers must act now on schools plan

BEFORE the pandemic, we thought we knew what education was for: maths, science and reading — the acquisition of knowledge. One year on, society is fully absorbing the central role schools play in our economic and social ecosystem. For younger children, it is a playground for social interaction and emotional wellbeing. For disadvantaged students, a safe space to learn and get a hot meal. For our key workers, somewhere that enables them to go out and do their jobs. For these reasons and more, we all want to see schools reopen as soon as practicable.

We acknowledge that the Government feels under siege, having erred in bringing schools back for one day after the Christmas holidays. But prime-ministerial embarrassment is not a good enough reason for inactivity.

Teachers, parents and most of all students need clarity. Not necessarily a date in stone, but a timetable they can work to and plan for. This is doable. We know that schools increase transmission. But they are also well-versed in bubbles, testing and operating in a Covid-secure manner.

The Government should consider all options, including a phased reintroduction of classes. It must ensure that those from socially deprived backgrounds — who are suffering the most from online learning — are admitted first, alongside the youngest learning the basics of reading and writing and older pupils supposed to be sitting their GCSEs and A-levels. We understand the emotional tug of teacher vaccinations — we want those educating our children to feel safe. But the core issue is whether we can send our young people to mix in schools without sending transmission rates and hospitalisations back up again. There have been times during this pandemic when the Government has had no option. This is not one of those moments. A sensible pathway exists — the Government must take those decisions now and without delay.