Five education unions have written to the Secretary of State for Education, Nadhim Zahawi, asking him to urgently reconsider the reintroduction of additional safety measures in schools, given the rising rates of Covid infection and absence among school students (as reported by News OnTheWight on Thursday).
Five unions – GMB, NASUWT, NEU, UNISON and UNITE – will also be writing to all local authorities and directors of public health asking them to consider measures in their local areas.
Measures being readopted
The unions have pointed to measures now being readopted in several local authority areas in response to rising cases, including social distancing measures, reintroduction of bubbles, avoidance of large gatherings such as assemblies and meetings, and reintroduction of face coverings in secondary schools.
The unions have warned that without such measures, students’ education and the health of students, their families and school staff will all be damaged unnecessarily.
Shreeve: IW still waiting for wholesale arrival of CO2 monitors
Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union, said,
“We have been and are still concerned that Government is standing by while Covid cases surge across schools. If we are to prevent ongoing significant disruption to children’s education, it is evident that more needs to be done – sooner rather than later. We must combat more effectively children contracting Covid-19 and Covid-related staff absence. This means better mitigation and as the joint letter states: ‘a relentless focus on ventilation, with use of HEPA filters where ventilation cannot be improved in any other way (a focus which will reap benefits far beyond the end of the pandemic)’.
“Numerous studies have found using high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters drastically reduce infection risks. Yet, the Isle of Wight is still waiting for the wholesale arrival of CO2 monitors. We would be better off delivering air purifiers too, as well as re-introducing masks etc. The most effective way of keeping children learning is to do more now and prevent the spread of Covid-19 in schools.”
Chiverton: There could be yet more unnecessary damage
Mark Chiverton, Secretary, Isle of Wight Local Government Branch said,
“The new surge in the number of Covid- 19 cases in schools is very worrying, with the growing number of absences amongst students, teachers and support staff already having a significant impact on all aspects of the life of many schools.
“If the Government fails to act quickly to reverse the current drift, there will be yet more unnecessary damage to the education of children and young people.
“Urgent consideration needs to be given to the earliest possible reintroduction of a number of measures which were in place during the last school year and which were instrumental in ensuring that the worst effects of the pandemic were contained.
“In addition, there should be no further delay in the implementation of improved ventilation measures which, it is increasingly clear, are a key component in reducing the rate of Covid spread.”
News shared by Peter on behalf of IW branch of the National Education Union. Ed
Image: Charlotte May under CC BY 2.0
