Pressure grows on minister to make call on schools return

WALES’ Education Minister has said she aims to “maximise face-to-face learning” when schools return for the next academic year.

Kirsty Williams MS is under increasing pressure from healthcare professionals, teachers, governors, and scientists to re-open schools fully in September.

Yesterday, Ms Williams told a meeting of the Senedd’s Children, Young People and Education Committee she intended to “minimise disruption” to children’s education when they return after the summer break.

She said the Welsh Government is awaiting “crucial evidence” which will guide their decision on how to manage the new academic year.

The minister said she expected to make a full announcement before the end of the week.

Plaid Cymru Shadow Education Minister Sian Gwenllian asked Ms Williams what she expects to see happening in Wales’ schools from September during the meeting.

“With regards to September, what we expect is the opportunity to maximise face-to-face learning and to minimise the disruption to children’s education as a result of Covid19,”

said Ms Williams. “As members imagine, science and the understanding of the virus is constantly evolving and deepening.

“One of the challenges we face is making a decision this far in advance of September can be an added confusion.

“But I understand and am cognisant of the fact that both pupils, families and professionals want to have as much clarity as soon as possible with regards to operation in September.

“This week we are in a series of discussions with all the relevant stakeholders.

“We are awaiting the very latest scientific advice with regard to the impact of the virus on child in particular and the transmittability [sic] of the virus from children.

“I hope to be able to make a definitive statement on September before the end of this week.”

This week, more than 50 education and health specialists signed an open letter to Kirsty Williams, calling on the Welsh Government to reopen schools full-time to all pupils from September at the latest.

The letter was signed by doctors, nurses, teachers, school governors, academics, scientists, public health and mental health experts.

It warned that Wales is now “lagging behind” after England already announced a full return in September and Scotland committed to reopening full-time on August 11 if the virus transmission is kept under control.

“I am currently awaiting a final piece of scientific advice,” Ms Williams told Senedd members.

“As I said earlier the science is changing all the time and sometimes we are not in charge of when that advice will become available.

“It was signalled to us that some crucial evidence would be made available this week and I didn’t want to make a decision on old evidence.

“I wanted to utilise the very latest information before making a decision.

“I hope to be able to make a definitive announcement with regard to September before the end of this week recognising both pupils, parents and staff want the opportunity to plan for the new academic year.

“I am clear that my goal is to maximise the face-to-face contact that children will have with their teachers in school settings and to minimise disruption the virus has already caused and has the potential to continue to cause.”

Ms Gwenllian later said the Welsh Government must announce plans on the re-opening of schools now.

She said the Welsh Government was showing a “lack of leadership” in delaying the announcement and that a “most likely scenario” can and