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A teachers union has called for an urgent circuit breaker during the October semester, which would cause secondary schools and universities to close for two weeks in England.
The National Education Union (NEU), Britain’s largest teachers union, said the move could help the government “take control of the test, track and trace system, and reduce cases to allow the system to work better. “
The call comes after data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that there was an estimated average of 27,900 new coronavirus cases per day between October 2 and 8.
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The union has also called for free school meals to be provided for underprivileged students if a circuit breaker occurs.
NEU Assistant Secretary General Kevin Courtney said: “Principals, teachers, and school staff understand the educational impact of this, but we also understand that in exponential epidemics early action is essential.
“Taking action now can prevent more disruptions in the future.”
The tallest COVID-19 Infection rates in England remain among young adults and high school students, according to ONS data released on Friday.
Courtney said: “This should come as no surprise to either the prime minister or the Department of Education; scientists have a record that high school students transmit the virus as much as adults.”
He added: “We have warned you that because we have among the largest class sizes in Europe we have overcrowded classrooms and hallways without effective social distancing.
“Our classrooms are often poorly ventilated leading to airborne broadcasts, and in many areas we also have crowded school transportation where children mingle in year group bubbles.
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“These children live in families and are part of communities, so even if they have few or no symptoms, they are still part of the transmission of the virus to others, including teachers and other school personnel.”
The NEU has also called on the government to ensure the expansion of free school meals for disadvantaged students if a circuit breaker occurs during the mid-term period.
Scientists have recommended a breaker lockout, but this approach has not been adopted by the prime minister.
On Tuesday, Sir Keir Starmer asked for a circuit breaker blockade in England, accusing the government of having “lost control” of the coronavirus pandemic.
