[ad_1]
School personnel have the legal right not to return to classrooms due to the spread of COVID, one leading union has said, while another has initiated legal proceedings against the Department of Education.
The National Education Union (NEU) has said that all elementary schools must remain closed for at least two weeks after the Christmas break, and urges the Secretary of Education Gavin williamson to move all learning online as infections continue to rise.
And the government’s handling of the situation has prompted the National Association of Teachers Directors (NAHT) union, together with the Association of School and University Leaders, to take preliminary steps in legal proceedings.
Follow COVID-19 updates live from the UK and around the world here
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Primary schools will be closed in London
The NASUWT union has also called for an “immediate national move toward remote education” for all students.
It comes after an embarrassing government U-turn, meaning all London primary schools will be closed next week to contain the highly communicable new variant of the coronavirus.
Paul Whiteman, NAHT Secretary General, said: “We have asked the government to share the evidence that justifies the distinctions drawn between elementary and secondary schools, the geographic distinctions they have made, and the evidence that justifies the mandatory introduction of massive testing.” .
The union said it is now awaiting a response from the government.
NEU deputy general secretary Kevin Courtney said its members have “the legal right to refuse to work in unsafe conditions that are a danger to their health and to the health of their school communities and in general.”
He said: “We call on Gavin Williamson to really do what he says he does – follow the science and announce, now, that primary schools in England should move online learning away from key workers and vulnerable children, at least for the first two weeks of January. “
“While we call on the government to take the right action as a responsible Union, we cannot simply agree that the wrong government action should be implemented.”
Complete list of areas where elementary schools face return delays
Williamson said on Friday that primary schools in London’s 32 boroughs will remain closed next week, rather than just those in certain boroughs, as he had announced days earlier.
He also noted that more schools outside of London could close as he warned that the list of closures remains under review.
Announcing his decline, Williamson said: “The education and well-being of children remains a national priority. Moving other parts of London to remote education is really a last resort and a temporary solution.
“As infection rates rise across the country, and particularly in London, we must make this move to protect our country and the NHS. We will continue to review the list of local authorities and will reopen classrooms as soon as possible.”
NEU deputy general secretary Dr. Mary Bousted suggested that a two-week shutdown could allow viral levels to drop after a period over Christmas in which the mix may have increased infections.
Dr. Bousted also questioned plans to implement mass testing in secondary schools, describing the preparations as “chaotic.”
“It is going to be incredibly difficult for schools to get this up and running on time and do it as well as public health would be doing it because they are health professionals,” he said.
