A survey of more than 16,000 teachers has shown support for strong Covid mitigations over the coming months.
The results of the EIS teaching union survey come a day after the teaching union’s general secretary said the early closure of Scottish schools before Christmas should be considered and amid discussions over whether exams can go ahead next year.
Larry Flanagan told The Sunday Times: “The Scottish government should consider an early Christmas closure if a firebreak is needed to fend off a new wave of infection.
“There is no threat to next May’s exams as yet but the situation is being monitored and discussed.”
The EIS teaching union survey findings, Tes Scotland can report, include:
- Only 6 per cent of teachers who responded want to see face coverings in secondary schools removed at the time of being asked. Most teachers (55 per cent) want to see face coverings retained throughout winter.
- Some 67 per cent of respondents say that regular Covid risk assessments have been carried out by councils, although another 23 per cent do not know if risk assessments have been carried out.
- 30 per cent do not believe that their working space is well ventilated to combat the risk of Covid spread.
- Only 32 per cent believe that their school has a procedure in place to raise concerns about inadequate ventilation.
- A minority of teachers (47 per cent) feel either “very safe” (12 per cent) or “somewhat safe” (35 per cent) in schools with the Covid mitigations at the time of being asked; 19 per cent feel neither safe nor unsafe with current mitigations.
Mr Flanagan said: “It is clear from this major survey that Scotland’s teachers remain concerned about many aspects of Covid safety within schools. The emergence of new variants such as Omicron, coupled with the higher risk of illness during the winter months, will only increase the risk of Covid infection spreading through school communities.
“Case numbers remain high, and we have recently seen at least one school being compelled to close its building and move to online learning as a consequence of high rates of Covid illness. Teachers continue to work flat out, in the face of the continuing Covid pandemic, to ensure a quality learning experience for young people.”
Mr Flanagan added: “It is clear, however, that the threat of Covid has not gone away and, also, that teachers remain concerned about the potential risk to pupils, staff and their families. Councils, and the Scottish government, must listen to and act upon the concerns expressed by teachers.”
On Friday, first minister Nicola Sturgeon said she would “bust a gut” to ensure schools remained open.
