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Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, is trying to break the impasse between the government and unions teaching about children returning to school next month.
Boris Johnson’s plans to reopen schools starting June 1 as part of facilitating the coronavirus The running of the bulls faces a revolt of unions, directors, leaders of local governments and mayors of the cities.
Backed by teacher unions, council leaders are demanding powers to close schools if tests reveal new COVID-19 cases and some mayors threaten to refuse to allow them to reopen.
So Mr. Williamson has announced that he has arranged for union leaders to meet with England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, and other experts for a briefing on his scientific advice.
Earlier this week, the education secretary accused the unions of “bragging” about their plans for a gradual return of students, claiming that class sizes of 15, additional cleaning and other guarantees would help make schools be safe.
But writing in the Daily Mail has given a much more conciliatory tone, insisting that safety comes first, and returning to school on June 1, for elementary students, is just the first phase of a controlled return. and careful at school.
“If, according to the latest scientific advice, we can get a limited number of children back to school, then I think it is my duty to do everything I can to get them back there, because being at school with a teacher is the best way to learn, “he writes.
“Of course, safety comes first, but we must also be aware of the potential harm to a child’s education by not returning him to the classroom.
“It has been more than seven weeks since schools were restricted to all but a very small number of children and until the rate of coronavirus infection begins to decline, we cannot bring more students back.”
“In that time, I have been constantly talking to bosses and teacher unions about the best way to open schools gradually and carefully.
“Later today, I have arranged for union leaders to meet with the medical director and other experts so that they can receive information on the scientific advice that underpins our approach.”
Williamson says he agrees with former secretary of job education David Blunkett, who this week said it was important for the most disadvantaged children to return to schools as soon as possible.
He says the youngest children are at the head of the line to go back to school, along with students who will be moving to high school and older students who will be sitting at their GCSE and A levels next year.
“This is the first phase of a careful and controlled return to school,” he writes. “It is not happening overnight and it will not happen without schools establishing a series of protective measures to reduce transmission.”
“The safety of children and their teachers is my number one priority.
“I know that some teacher unions still have concerns, just as I know that parents and teachers have some concerns. I intend to continue to speak to all of them and work with them on any issues they may have.”
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“All of us in education have a duty to work together to get children back to school.
“Let me assure families that we are giving schools all the guidance and support they will need to welcome students.
“This includes keeping class sizes small, making sure children stay within small groups, and being rigorous about hygiene, cleanliness and rest, and staggered meals.”
But the revolt by what conservative ministers have called in the past “The Blob” (unions and political opponents campaigning against conservative educational policy) is growing.
Judith Blake of the Association of Local Governments said: “We know that parents are eager to send their children back to school or daycare.”
“Plans to reopen schools and settings in the early years should focus on assuring parents that it will be safe for children to return to school. The publication of scientific advice is vital to help provide that peace of mind.
“The safety of staff, parents and families is absolutely paramount.
“The councils should be able to close the provision when testing indicates clusters of new COVID-19 cases and it is vital that schools have the resources to provide staff with the necessary protective equipment, as well as soap and hand sanitizer for cleanup.” .
Backing the LGA, NAS / UWT Secretary General Patrick Roach has claimed that teachers can legally refuse to return to work unless they receive the same protection as other front-line staff.
And about school closings, he said: “Take the step to close a school where evidence indicates that a group will be a vital part of controlling the spread of the virus.
“However, this mechanism is based on an effective and extended testing and tracing program to be operational, something that to date is unfortunately still lacking and that the government has failed to control.
“We have challenged the government to publish the scientific advice that supports its decision to try to start reopening schools starting June 1 and explain how it can demonstrate to school staff and parents that the decisions it is making are the right ones to protect the child. public health.
“The NASUWT remains clear that no school should reopen until it can demonstrate that it is safe to do so.”
Earlier this week, Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson stated that he would not allow city schools to readmit students if he felt the safety of staff and youth would be put at risk.
And Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham urged ministers to work with unions before going ahead with proposals to open primary schools to all students before the summer break.
