Commons Sense

As we move further towards spring and the days grow longer, it is so great to see more and more good news every week. From our outstanding vaccine rollout, which has reached almost a quarter of all UK adults, to the sharp fall in case numbers and hospitalisations as a result of your extraordinary efforts to follow the lockdown.

On the wave of this good news it is understandable and reasonable that people now look ahead to our exit from these tough restrictions. On Monday, the Prime Minister will lay out his road map out of lockdown and back to normality. Whilst I agree with the PM that this must be a cautious approach, any plan must see schools reopen on the March 8. No ifs, no buts.

On this matter I am clear that we must end the irreparable damage we are causing to our children’s educations and future prospects. There must be no more excuses. Pupils learn best in the classroom, and the attention and resources available in schools simply cannot be replicated anywhere else. Whilst many pupils, from stable homes and affluent backgrounds will manage, many in overcrowded housing will face disruption and distractions which will hinder their ability to focus and learn.

Furthermore, there is also the social aspect of missing out on socialising with teachers and friends, and learning in a different environment to their home. Significant damage is being inflicted on our pupils’ mental health and wellbeing, as well as the crucial stages in the development of their socialisation skills.

In the last lockdown many children did not leave their homes or see anyone other than their families until they returned to school.

We must therefore commit to reopening schools and taking advantage of the opportunities which the successful lockdown and vaccine rollout has afforded us. The future of our children depends on it.