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Boris Johnson is facing calls to close all schools in England after an embarrassing government U-turn, meaning all elementary schools in London will remain closed next week.
A union leader asserted that what was right for London was right for the rest of the country and called on ministers to “do their duty” and close all primary and secondary schools to contain the coronavirus.
The lawsuit, from the deputy general secretary of the National Union of Education, Mary Bousted, came after the secretary of Education Gavin williamson he gave in to pressure to close all elementary schools in the capital.
Complete list of areas where elementary schools face return delays
In an abrupt policy change following protests and threats of legal action by local authorities, Williamson also noted that more schools outside London could close, warning that the list of closures was being reviewed.
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Primary schools will be closed in London
On Wednesday, in a hastily arranged statement to MPs about the children returning to school this quarter, Williamson said that most primary schools in England would open as planned on Monday, January 4.
But he named 50 educational authorities in the south of England – including 22 of London’s 32 boroughs – where he said COVID-19 Infection rates were higher and primary schools would be closed to most students during the first two weeks of the course.
But to the fury of municipal leaders, directors, and parliamentarians from all parties, the government’s list included some districts where transmission rates were relatively low and omitted others where rates were high.
Now, after the latest in a series of embarrassing U-turns by the conflicting education secretary, primary schools in all 32 London boroughs will be closed for all but vulnerable children and those of critical workers.
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.”
But Dr Bousted told The Daily Telegraph: “The question must be asked: why are education ministers so inadequate and inept? Who is advising them? And what is right for London is right for the rest of the country. .
“With the highest level of COVID infection and hospitals collapsing under the tsunami of very sick patients, it is time for ministers to do their duty: protect the NHS on the advice of SAGE and close all primary and secondary schools to reduce the rate of R below one. “
The National Education Union called an emergency meeting of its executive on Monday to discuss the schools crisis.
And another teacher union leader, NASUWT General Secretary Dr. Patrick Roach, said: “Once again, parents, students and staff have to deal with the fallout from more chaotic last minute government announcements.
“In just a few days, the government’s plans for the safe reopening of schools are unraveling.
“Elementary schools and parents in Level 4 areas across the country will no doubt wonder why the government considers the risks to their health and safety to be less significant than in other Level 4 areas in London and south-east London. England.
“All teachers, educational staff and students, regardless of where they live, work or are educated, deserve the same levels of protection against this highly contagious and deadly virus.”
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Labor’s shadow education secretary, Kate Green, also raised the possibility of more school closings in Level 4 areas outside of London and south-east England.
“This is another government U-turn that creates chaos for parents just two days before the start of the term,” he said.
“Gavin Williamson’s incompetent handling of the return from schools and colleges is creating enormous stress for parents, students, and school and college staff and harming children’s education.
“This U-turn was necessary to provide consistency in London.
“However, Gavin Williamson has yet to clarify why some Tier 4 schools are closing and what the criteria will be for reopening.”
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Whitehall sources told Sky News that the U-turn in London was a collective government decision, made with the backing of the UK Department of Health, Public Health and local public health officials, and not “the stroke of a ballpoint pen.” by Williamson.
Endorsing the Education Secretary, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Over the past week, we have seen a sharp increase in infections and hospitalizations in London and hospitals are under increased pressure.
“While our priority is to keep as many children as possible in school, we have to strike a balance between education and infection rates and pressures on the NHS.”
“The situation in London continues to deteriorate and so today we are taking steps to protect the public and reduce the spread of this disease in the community.
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