Masks in class ‘to be scrapped’
PUPILS will no longer be forced to wear masks in class in a radical shakeup of school Covid rules.
Experts believe face coverings in lessons should be dropped as part of a revamp of anti-virus measures to get schools operating more normally.
While some details of the plans, including timings, have still to be finalised, Ministers are poised to confirm the changes within weeks.
They are also expected to scrap selfisolation for pupils deemed close contacts of someone who tested positive for the virus, on the advice of scientific advisers. Currently whole classes must miss school after one child tests positive – even if the other youngsters then test negative. However, the MoS understands experts are now expected to advise Ministers that only pupils with symptoms, or a positive test, should have to stay at home.
Another change will involve how often pupils have to take Covid tests.
Last term, secondary pupils and school staff were asked to self-test at home twice a week. However, that is also set to be dropped in favour of self-testing only in areas of the country experiencing outbreaks.
One insider said: ‘There is still some question over when these changes will happen. But there is broad agreement things can’t continue as they were. We can expect significant change.’
The changes are designed to ensure children receive as much education as possible after some 15 months of unprecedented disruption to schools.
Last term, masks were mandatory for all secondary pupils in Scotland but that looks set to change. The proposed changes come amid fears over the long-term effect of measures on pupils’ learning and wellbeing.
The insider said: ‘The assumption at the moment is current mitigations would remain in place when schools go back after summer. Ideally, that would be for a maximum of four weeks and then you would introduce less restrictive measures.
‘Rather than all kids or staff self-isolating if they’re close contacts, it would only be pupils and staff that show symptoms or have a positive test. Secondary pupils wouldn’t be expected to wear face coverings in class, although it might be required in crowded communal areas.’
The source added: ‘There’s a lot of focus on the damage that coronavirus has done to young people and the disruption and impact on wellbeing.
‘At the moment they go quick and go hard which means one case in a class and the whole class has to isolate. That is leading to lots of kids spending too much time out of school. It needs to be announced before schools go back – although it’s an evolving situation.’