Education unions, together with Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP, have today [Tuesday] written to Gavin Williamson urging the government to take firm action to improve ventilation in schools to reduce further Covid disruption.
The unions – NEU, Unison, NASUWT, ASCL, NAHT, GMB and Unite – say proper measures to increase airflow in time for the start of the next academic year will make a difference to health and limit the damage to learning for pupils.
Shreeve: Measures that will make a significant difference
Commenting on this latest letter to the Secretary of State, Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union, said,
“In this letter, these education unions say ‘the benefits of ventilation in the control of airborne diseases are already well understood and accepted’.
“They point to carbon dioxide monitors – to ensure air is flowing adequately – and micro filters for removing harmful particles as measures that will make a significant difference and should be properly funded.”
In March scientists writing in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) noted “increasingly the evidence suggests that airborne spread is the dominant mode of transmission even at close range” and that additional measures are required to “minimise air-sharing”, such as “universal, well-fitted and higher grade masking, particularly indoors; adequate ventilation and air filtration; reducing crowding and time spent indoors; and managing patterns of air flow”.
Mark Chiverton, Secretary – UNISON Isle of Wight Local Government Branch, said,
“It’s essential that the Government should act without delay to develop a properly funded plan which will enable airflow to be effectively filtered and monitored.
“If the scientific evidence isn’t followed, and if adequate measures aren’t out in place in readiness for the start of the new school year, there’s a genuine danger of pupils again being away from school in big numbers. The Government must act now to avoid the threat of potentially disastrous further spread of infection.”
Shreeve: Why isn’t Government ready for action?
Peter Shreeve went on to say,
“It is incredible that the Department for Education has only just announced a pilot scheme involving 30 schools in Bradford to trial the use of air purifiers, with results not due until the end of the year. Where have these trials been for the last 18 months and why were they not started sooner?
“Scientists are aware ‘the typical state-school classroom contains 31 people, and teaching periods last up to two hours before the children leave for a break’. Classrooms are, therefore, a high-risk environment. Ventilation of classrooms in particular should align with expert guidance on air ventilation.
“Why isn’t Government just as aware and ready for action?”
Image: Michal Matlon under CC BY 2.0
