NEU Slams Government Over School Closures in National Lockdown
The National Education Union (NEU) has slammed the Government’s handling of school closures during the latest lockdown. They insist schools must stay open for the children of key workers and vulnerable kids – just like the first lockdown back in March.
Schools Driving Virus Spread, Warns NEU
Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the NEU, hit out at the Government, citing new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). He said:
“It seems self-defeating for the Government to impose a national lockdown, whilst ignoring the role of schools as a major contributor to the spread of the virus. This latest lockdown will impose pain on the whole community – but will not be as effective as it could be without the inclusion of schools. Ignoring the role of schools and colleges in the spread of the virus is likely to lead to the need for even longer lockdowns in future.”
Experts Back NEU’s Warning on School Transmission
On Sunday’s Andrew Marr Show, Sir Jeremy Farr, director of the Wellcome Trust and SAGE adviser, echoed these concerns:
“If that transmission, particularly in secondary schools, continues to rise, then that may have to be revisited in the next four weeks in order to get R below 1 and the epidemic shrinking.”
Calls for Circuit Break and Tougher Measures Ignored
The NEU has pushed for a two-week “circuit break” over half-term that includes closing schools – a move already taken by the Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Assembly. Westminster has so far ignored these calls, forcing tougher restrictions now.
Latest ONS figures reveal 1% of primary and 2% of secondary pupils have COVID-19, with cases surging since schools reopened in September.
Peter Shreeve added:
“There’s a limit to what we can do unless we start to tackle the older years in schools where we know older teenage transmission rates are similar to adults. Jeremy Farr suggested the wearing of masks in secondary schools.
“Prolonging the planned lockdown beyond 2 December would be devastating. We need to avoid this if possible.
Therefore, Government should include all schools in proposals for an immediate national lockdown and, at minimum, prepare for school rotas after that period, including fulfilling promises to deliver broadband and equipment to children who lack them.”
