The government is being urged to give both teachers and pupils the freedom to wear face masks at school if they choose.
The Unison school support staff union is calling for greater clarity on the government’s “confused messages” around face coverings.
It has now written to education secretary, Gavin Williamson, urging him to allow all school staff to wear face masks if they wish.
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And schools should provide safety kit, such as masks where necessary, to staff found to be at higher risk of Covid-19 following an individual assessment, the union says.
Unison also supports calls to let pupils wear face masks, “given emerging evidence that transmission rates among secondary school children could be equal to those for adults”.
Last week, the NASUWT teaching union argued that the government’s recent announcements requiring the wearing of face coverings on public transport and in shops had highlighted the need for similar protections to be in place in schools.
But this Wednesday, schools minister Nick Gibb defended the government’s policy that over-11s do not need to wear masks in schools, even though they are required to inside shops and on public transport.
Asked about the discrepancy Mr Gibb told the BBC: “As I said, we are led by the science.”
Ruth Levin, Unison’s senior national officer for education, said: “Parents, staff and the public are suffering needless anxiety because of the government’s confused messages around face coverings.
“We’re just weeks away from a return to the classroom and staff and pupils need to know where they stand. Unison believes they should be allowed to wear face coverings if they want to.
“It’s been a shambles from the start on what the rules are. The government must act urgently to sort out this mess and ensure the reopening of schools is as safe as possible for staff, pupils and the public.”
The DfE says face coverings are “not recommended” or required in schools because pupils and staff are mixing in consistent groups, and because misuse may inadvertently increase the risk of transmission.
