Despite mounting pressure to reconsider the status of schools in the new year, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has remained ardent in the belief that schools must open in January. However, with the very real risk offered by the new strain of COVID-19, some fear that this could lead to a significant increase in cases with scientists estimating that the new strain may be up to 70% more contagious.
Under the current measures, GCSE and A-level students (and the children of key workers) in England are set to return to school in the week commencing the 4th of January, with the rest of students undertaking a week of online lessons before returning a week later.
However, there is no certainty that these plans will remain concrete before the 4th of January comes around. Michael Gove, a cabinet minister, warned that changes may need to be made, with the implementation of a longer period of online learning, due to concerns surrounding the new strain and rising case numbers.
Gavin Williamson is set to attend a meeting today (28/12) where the current plans will be reviewed. With the decision made today likely to influence what the rest of the academic year and examination period looks like; it is important that the decision is made cautiously.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has previously refused to rule out the possibility of school closure in the new year, insisting that ‘everything is under review’. With one such review happening today, it is a real and likely possibility that schools might just remain closed.
But should they?
Well, that depends on whom you ask…
SAGE (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies), an independent group that has advised the government throughout the pandemic based on the scientific evidence, has warned that schools should not reopen.
Initially, plans were put in place to test every student for the virus, but SAGE has since warned, due to the speed at which the new strain can spread, this measure may not be effective alone. SAGE has since called for schools to remain closed; stating that the government would have to implement a March style lockdown if they wished to keep the R rate below 1.
SAGE has warned that without a lockdown of this severity the R rate would rise above 1 in January.
The Conservative Party’s London mayoral candidate, Shaun Bailey, has also stated that the 4th of January is too early to reopen; believing that the government should instead opt for a two-week circuit breaker to get the virus under control following the Christmas loosening of restrictions. During this time, Shaun Bailey has proposed that all teachers are tested in an attempt “to give us a fighting chance against the virus, without causing maximum disruption”.
The NEU, the largest education trade union in the UK, has also called for schools to remain closed for the first two weeks of January. The NASUWT has also called for schools to remain closed in the highest tier areas.
The Verdict
It is clear that it is not safe for students to return so early in January. The government must use this review today to begin formulating a safer and more effective way to allow students to return to schools in a safe environment, whilst ensuring that the impact on the R rate and the spread of the virus is not severe.
Any attempt to open schools must be paired with a comprehensive testing program, or a two-week circuit-breaker, that would ensure that students do not arrive at schools already with the virus. Measures should be put in place to administer the vaccine to teachers and members of staff to ensure they do not catch or spread the virus at work.
Following the scientific advice must be the number one priority of the government if they wish to keep our young people safe and get the virus under control.
Whether it’s a national lockdown with schools closed for an extensive period of time, a two-week circuit breaker, or an alternative staggered return, it seems incredibly unlikely that Gavin Williamson and the government will opt to send young people back to school so early in January as they had previously planned to.
