Schooling at home is back as teachers hit by Covid

PUPILS across Scotland face a return to home learning as a spike in Covid cases leaves schools short of teachers.

Nursery, primary and secondary youngsters were sent home last week as councils scrambled to plug staffing gaps. As cases continue to rise, teacher shortages are poised to worsen, causing increased disruption for pupils and families.

A snapshot survey by The Scottish Mail on Sunday last week revealed a quarter of Scotland’s 32 councils reporting full or partial school closures or the reintroduction of some home learning. Most of the rest said they were facing challenges with more pupils or staff absent.

Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the EIS teaching union, said: ‘The record number of Covid cases remains a matter of huge concern to the EIS. Teacher and pupil absences across Scotland continue to be high and the removal of many safety mitigations will potentially make the situation even worse.

‘It is clear that the pandemic is not over. There cannot be an assumption of a return to business as usual in our schools.’

Although most Covid restrictions in Scotland have been scrapped, the requirement to wear masks in shops and public transport will remain until at least early April.

Last week, more than 6,000 school staff were off due to Covid, rising from 3,746 on March 1. East Lothian, Inverclyde, Aberdeenshire, Moray, East Ayrshire, Highland, Falkirk and Midlothian councils reported school closures or remote learning.

Other local authorities said they had managed to keep schools open but did not rule out a return to home learning if necessary.

Lindsay Paterson, professor of education policy at Edinburgh University, said disruption could prove particularly damaging for young people preparing for exams.

He added: ‘If you’re doing Nationals, Highers or Advanced Highers in less than two months’ time, this kind of disruption is serious, especially for young people of middle ability.’