ANOTHER U-TURN OVER CLASSROOMS
Swinney says distancing may be needed for older pupils
SECONDARY pupils will have to socially distance ‘wherever possible’, plunging the SNP’s back-toschool plans into further ‘confusion’.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney performed another U-turn on pupils returning after the summer by raising the prospect of special distancing measures in high schools.
He had previously said scientific advice indicated all pupils could go back to lessons full-time from August 11 with no distancing needed. A final decision will be announced next Thursday on whether normal schooling can resume as planned.
But yesterday Mr Swinney said secondary pupils would have to learn in socially-distanced classrooms ‘wherever possible’.
It raises questions over how pupils can all go back full-time, as social distancing would limit the numbers in a class.
Younger pupils are believed to be much less likely to contract or spread Covid-19, meaning they can learn and play with no distancing.
Mr Swinney also said the contingency plan of pupils spending some of the week learning from home may have to be imposed in some cases, as he believes virus flare-ups are ‘fairly likely’ in schools – while pupils and staff will have the option of wearing face masks.
Scottish Tory education spokesman Jamie Greene said: ‘The remarks by John Swinney will only cause more confusion. He needs to explain how social distancing where possible is compatible with the full-time return to school.’
Scottish Labour education spokesman Iain Gray said: ‘John Swinney’s statement still leaves teachers and parents in the dark about social distancing and face masks. Social distancing “wherever possible” and face masks if “someone wants to wear one” is no way to get schools back safely.’
During an update to parliament,
Daily Mail, June 24 Mr Swinney told MSPs that primary pupils will not be expected to distance but high school students may have to.
Mr Swinney said: ‘The Education Recovery Group is developing guidance which involves taking extra precautions and envisages that secondary schools will be asked to take a practical approach to maintaining distancing between pupils wherever possible.’
He said changes could be made to classrooms to facilitate distancing – while ensuring capacity remains at the same level – or by ‘managing the flow of pupils and staff within schools’.
Mr Swinney also said that of the £100million made available to schools in June, £50million will be ring-fenced for the recruitment of teacher and support staff for this academic year. This means 850 more teachers and 200 support staff will be brought in.
A further £20million will also go to councils to address practical issues around the reopening, such as the need for intensive cleaning.
Mr Swinney said £3million will be given to local authorities to boost youth work services. The minister said he expects there to be localised ‘clusters’ of cases of Covid-19 when schools return.
On part-time home learning Mr Swinney said these plans were an ‘essential contingency which could be applied at local, regional or national level if needed’.
Mr Gray asked the Education Secretary how ready Scotland really is for the return of full-time schooling, and if face coverings should be worn in schools.
Mr Swinney said councils have been undertaking risk assessments for ‘some considerable time’, and that anyone who wishes to wear one [a mask] should be able to do so.
Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the EIS teaching union, said: ‘Clearly, with less than three weeks until schools are set to reopen, it is vital that local authorities act quickly to ensure that the promised additional teachers and support staff are recruited prior to the start of term.’
Councillors Stephen McCabe and Councillor Gail Macgregor, of the Cosla council umbrella body, said in a joint statement: ‘Even with the welcome additional financial support from the Scottish Government we have received to date, councils are facing a budget gap of over £500million for 2020/21 before the additional costs of a safe return to school are taken into account.’
MOTHER OF ALL CLIMBDOWNS