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Teachers will not have to play a role in coronavirus testing in schools, a minister told Sky News.
“Teachers are already fully occupied … they are already busy,” said Schools Minister Nick Gibb.
The return of high school and college students will be staggered in the first week of January, the government announced on Thursday.
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Mass testing will be implemented in schools
Students taking tests will be back to normal after Christmas, but most of those in high school will start the term with online learning.
Primary school pupils will return to school normally in January, along with vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers.
Face-to-face education for all students will return on January 11.
The plan is to use the tiered statement to allow schools to implement mass testing of children and staff.
Two rapid tests will be offered to students attending classes, three days apart, with positive results confirmed by a laboratory PCR test.
Those with a positive test will need to self-isolate in accordance with existing regulations.
Mr. Gibb said that this will be planned by the Military and administered by volunteers and agency workers.
“People have a very community mentality, this is a national effort,” he added.
“This is our priority for education, to make sure the children are in the classroom, receiving lessons.”
His comments come after Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said in a written ministerial statement that schools and universities should “provide some staff members to support the testing program.”
