Scotland’s teaching unions have written to the Scottish government, calling for confirmation that teachers will not be asked to return to the classroom until after the summer holidays in August.
In the letter, the unions hit out at the “cavalier attitude” of the UK government in announcing schools could reopen as early as 1 June - a move that they say has created “confusion, concern and fear among teachers and parents” in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
They call on the Scottish government “to maintain a cautionary approach” and confirm that schools north of the border will not reopen until after the summer break, arguing this will bring clarity as well as “providing a significant period to plan and prepare”.
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The letter - sent by Des Morris of the EIS teaching union on behalf of all the Scottish teaching unions, to the education secretary and deputy first minister, John Swinney - states: “We have been alarmed by the cavalier attitude of the UK government whose unilateral announcement of schools reopening on 1 June, albeit on a reduced scale, has created confusion, concern, and fear amongst teachers and parents.
“In Scotland, there has been a firm message around staying at home to reduce the spread of the infection. That instruction remains in force for the rest of this month. To paraphrase the first minister [Nicola Sturgeon], you cannot then simply flick a switch and reverse of all that justified messaging, as this could have profoundly adverse consequences for public health.
“It appears to us, therefore, that there is a strong argument to maintain a cautionary approach and to reinforce such by indicating schools will reopen after the summer break.”
Mr Morris - who is the EIS salaries convener as well as chair of the teachers’ side of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) - adds: “Not only does that bring clarity to parents, pupils, and teachers, it provides a significant period to plan and prepare for the very real challenge of delivering a blended learning experience for Scotland’s pupils in session 2020-21. A minimalist approach to such planning risks uncertain delivery.”
First minister Nicola Sturgeon has made it clear that the reopening date of 1 June does not apply to Scotland, and her deputy, Mr Swinney, has previously indicated that it is “unlikely” schools will return north of the border until after the summer holidays. However, the Scottish government has not ruled out schools reopening at some stage in June.
Asked today about the unions’ call for clarity over schools reopening, Ms Sturgeon said: “There will be no cavalier approach to any aspect of this on the part of the Scottish government…This is far too important and there’s too much at stake for us not to make all of these judgements in as careful and considered a way as possible.”
She said there were “no absolute rights or wrongs”, but that “the greatest care and caution is required”. She added that “it is not going to be the case that schools are back to normal in any way, shape or form this side of the summer holidays”.
If any more pupils were allowed back before the summer, said Ms Sturgeon, “it is likely to be on a very limited basis”.
Schools in Scotland start their summer holidays several weeks earlier than in England, and traditionally begin each new school year in mid- to late August, not September.
