Teachers’ unions are set to meet the government’s scientific advisers to seek assurances following government plans to reopen schools in England from June 1. Tara brings you the latest.
Following news that the education secretary wants primary schools to begin opening from 1 June, the National Education Union’s Kevin Courtney has said parents and teachers needed to be absolutely clear about the level of safety that will be provided and accessible before they return to the classroom.
Ahead of a meeting with the chief scientific adviser, chief medical officer and chief nursing officer, Mr Courtney said: “We want to hear what the science is. We want to know how much children transmit to one another and to adults.
“We also want to know what the risk is for society as a whole, and whether they now have contact tracing running well enough so that it can keep the case count low and hold it there.”
The meeting between the government and union bosses follows challenges from the Department for Education to publish the scientific evidence on which the return to school plan has been based.
Before teachers are to return to the classroom, it needs to be clear what measures are in place to ensure their safety and that they are not pressured to return to working conditions which could harm the health of themselves and their loved ones. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that this safeguarding is in place before they recommend that teachers return to the classroom.