Teachers and unions voice concerns over reopening of schools

Teachers in Caerphilly County Borough have voiced concerns about plans to reopen schools in Wales later this month.

Welsh Government announced schools will return for all ages on Monday, June 29, with the summer term expected to be extended by an extra week to July 24.

Schools in Wales have been closed since March 20 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

This week, Welsh education minister Kirsty Williams published guidance for schools to reopen however many teachers and unions in Wales have objections to the plans.

NASUWT, the union that represents more than 300,000 teachers across the UK, are opposed to the return of schools until there is a guarantee it is safe to do so.

A spokesman for the union said: “The Welsh Government’s own scientific advice states that social distancing cannot take place with younger children and the evidence is unclear as to whether asymptomatic children spread the disease.

“This, combined with the education minister’s decision that all learners should return has meant that the NASUWT must oppose a return on 29 June.”

Martyn Evans, a teacher at Blackwood Comprehensive School, said it is vital that schools are a safe place for all pupils, teachers and other staff.

He told Caerphilly Observer: “It is vital that we create an environment safe for everybody in schools, but I am not convinced that is going to be possible despite everybody’s best efforts.”

The phased return of schools will see just a third of pupils attending at once, with two-metre social distancing measures in place. There will also be no formal teaching, with the education minister calling it an opportunity to “check in and catch up”.  

Many teachers feel this is misjudged and unrealistic, however.

Mr Evans added: “Kids are very tactile by nature and you cannot physically enforce the two-metre social distancing.

“The physical restraints of schools are also an issue. We have narrow corridors here (Blackwood Comprehensive School) and even with staggered lesson times and breaks, people won’t be able to stay two meters apart.

“I can see the merits in having some pupils come in, and the teaching time pupils have been deprived of is a problem. We cannot go on forever like this and schools will have to reopen eventually, but we have to do that without compromising the safety of pupils and staff.”

However, the National Education Union (NEU) believe that further resolutions can be found before the reopening.

David Evans, Wales secretary for the NEU said: “It is well known we would have preferred September for wider opening.

“NEU Cymru welcomes that the Welsh Government has published some guidance for education professionals, ahead of the wider opening of schools at the end of June.

“There is a lot of logistical issues to sort out before the wider opening, and we will be writing to our members with guidance too.

“It is extremely welcome that education professionals are not expected to provide support for key worker children over the summer.

“The local authorities are well placed to provide arrangements to ensure that our key workers, such as carers and NHS workers, can be supported to provide essential services.”

Education minister Ms Williams said: “We know that such a long period away from school, friends and the classroom will have a detrimental impact on the wellbeing and learning of many young people. That is why we have taken the decision that the majority of learners will be able to check in, catch up, and prepare for the summer and September.

“Striking a balance between providing national public health guidance and enabling local flexibility has been critical in the development of this guidance. More detail and support will be developed as detailed plans are worked up by schools and local authorities.”