PM: IT’S A MORAL DUTY TO REOPEN SCHOOLS
EXCLUSIVE Boris takes on the teaching unions with rousing social justice call
BORIS JOHNSON today throws down the gauntlet to union leaders blocking the return of pupils to classrooms by insisting the country has a ‘ moral duty’ to reopen schools next month.
In an exclusive article for The Mail on Sunday, t he Prime Minister declares that a resumption of normal teaching is now his ‘national priority’.
The rallying cry will further crank up the political pressure over the issue, which is fast becoming a totemic test of the Government’s ability to reboot the economy and move the country safely out of lockdown.
Mr Johnson writes: ‘Now that we know enough to reopen schools to all
pupils safely, we have a moral duty to do so.’ Pupils were sent home at the start of lockdown in March, and only the children of key workers have been able to enjoy a measure of normal classroom teaching since then.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has come under intense pressure as critics warned that the lay-off was widening the educational divide between rich and poor, and preventing many parents from returning to the workplace.
Mr Johnson’s words come after Dr Mary Bousted, head of the National Education Union, urged schools to ignore ‘threatening noises’ from the Government and refuse to reopen if they feel it is unsafe.
Many parents have been angered after schools told them they will educate their children only until lunchtime on at least one day of the week, on the grounds that they need time to implement extra safety requirements such as deep cleaning and staggered break times. In other developments: This newspaper has established that there has not been single case of a pupil infecting a teacher with the virus anywhere in the world;
New research laid bare the damaging educational impact on pupils who have missed schooling during the lockdown;
The coronavirus death toll rose by 55 yesterday, to 46,556, compared to a rise of 74 last Saturday, while 758 new infections were reported, 13 fewer than a week ago;
Scientific advisers warned that the UKwide reproduction rate, R, is between 0.8 and 1.0, the point at which the virus starts spreading exponentially again;
Oxford University researchers developing a vaccine were embroiled in an ethics row about whether to deliberately infect human volunteers – and warned that although there was a 50 per cent chance of a jab being available next year, it was likely to be only partially effective and carry side-effects;
A survey found that barely half of the adult population is committed to being immunised against Covid-19;
France is on the brink of joining the list of countries from where British travellers will have to go into quarantine upon their return;
Young people in Preston were being urged ‘don’t kill Granny’ as the city was subjected to new lockdown measures following a spike in infections;
Up to 16 children and staff were forced to isolate at home after a coronavirus outbreak at a nursery in Bury, which has also been put into local lockdown.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of getting all children back in school in September during a series of No 10 meetings last week, emphasising his expectation that education should be ‘the absolutely last sector’ to be asked to close in local lockdowns – with businesses such as shops, pubs and restaurants forced to close first.
In his article, Mr Johnson argues that it is ‘crucial’ for ‘their welfare, their health and for their future’ that children should return to the classrooms full-time. He writes: ‘We can do it – and we will do it. Social justice demands it.’
He spoke of the ‘uplifting sight… as millions of parents rose to the challenge of educating their children’ amid the added pressures of lockdown, but said that had to end.
Highlighting the damage to children from poorer families in particular, Mr Johnson says: ‘ Time spent out of class means lower average academic attainment, with a lasting effect on future life chances. The less children are in school, the worse it is for their health. Sport England report one in three children has done less physical activity in lockdown, with many suffering from poorer mental health, including through reduced access to vital support.
‘Most painfully of all, the costs of school closure have fallen disproportionately on the most disadvantaged, the very children who need school the most.
‘ Keeping our schools closed a moment longer than absolutely necessary is socially intolerable, economically unsustainable and morally indefensible.’
Last night, Mr Williamson said: ‘Schools are the best place for children’s education and wellbeing and that is why their return to the classroom next month is our priority. Every decision we have taken leading up to this point has been informed by the best scientific and medical advice. I believe the vast majority of teachers, parents and children would agree that now is not the time to bring the sacrifices of the last four months to a standstill.
‘The right measures are in place for all children to return to school in September. Let us come together to make sure that happens.’