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Concerns over returning to full-time schooling in Scotland, a thread.
The SQA results scandal seems to have, perhaps luckily(!) for the Scottish Government, distracted us away from the very serious issue looming next week for Scotland’s schools. 1/6
The SQA results scandal seems to have, perhaps luckily(!) for the Scottish Government, distracted us away from the very serious issue looming next week for Scotland’s schools. 1/6
Whilst I, like many other teachers, have missed the classroom terribly and am keen to get back to ‘normal’ schooling, I have an increasing number of concerns about doing so. Compare the Scottish Government’s guidance for preparing for the new term https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-preparing-start-new-school-term-august-2020/ 2/6
with the information and regulations stated by NHS Scotland https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-physical-distancing and the government’s own Phase 3 guidance. https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-phase-3-staying-safe-and-protecting-others/pages/staying-safe/. 3/6
Particular areas of concern include the abandonment of very clear rules regarding: physical distancing, face coverings and meeting other households for anyone over the age of 12, as soon as one sets foot in an educational establishment. 4/6
I think the evidence speaks for itself but just to make it clear: as of next week, a secondary teacher and 30 teenagers can spend 15 minutes together in close proximity in a classroom. After that, only the teacher will have to wear a mask for the remaining 45+ mins. 5/6
However, if the same crowd meet in a supermarket they will ALL have to wear masks, be 2m apart AND have to split into 8 groups. The advice is contradictory at best and negligent at worst. 6/6
Are the Scottish Government, who I have strongly supported throughout this crisis, about to put the health and possibly even the lives of their teachers and teenagers at risk just to return to full-time schooling? It certainly looks that way.
