Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that there will be a “full” return of schools in August, in what marks one of the most significant stages in the country’s emergence from the coronavirus lockdown.
In a long-awaited statement to the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, she said that her government’s priority over the coming weeks will be to reopen schools. Schools will reopen from Tuesday 11 August and Ms Sturgeon said that all pupils should be back by Tuesday 18 August.
She also revealed details of a series of health and safety measures to help schools combat the continued threat of Covid-19.
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Ms Sturgeon tolds MSPs: “It is a moral and educational imperative that we get children back to school as soon as is safely possible.
Coronavirus: Confirmation of the reopening of Scottish schools
“In fact, a key reason for our cautious approach to lockdown over the last two months, and over the next few weeks, is that determination to drive the virus down and keep prevalence low, so that schools can reopen safely in August.
“I am, therefore, very pleased to confirm today that schools will return from 11 August.”
She added: “Given how long children have been out of school, some local authorities may opt for a phased return over the first few days.
“But we expect all pupils to be at school full-time from 18 August at the latest.
“Now, I realise that earlier confirmation of this would have provided more certainty for schools and parents to get ready for the new term, but we had to be sure - very sure - that the latest evidence supported this decision.”
The Scottish government had previously proposed that schools would return part-time in August with a system of “blended learning”, which would have seen learning split between time at school and in the home for a considerable chunk of the the 2020-21 school year.
The messaging changed in mid-June, however, with the blended approach now being seen as a back-up in the event of a resurgence of Covid-19.
Today First Minister @NicolaSturgeon confirmed that Scotland’s schools will re-open full-time from 11 August, with enhanced public health measures in place and additional funding provided to support a safe return.
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/fzSBtcmTlJ pic.twitter.com/F1f5HKCgKb
- Scottish Government (@scotgov) July 30, 2020
Today, Ms Sturgeon said that “absolutely no one can rule out the possible need for blended learning arrangements in future - either nationally or locally - if there is a significant increase in Covid.
She added: “But the current low prevalence of the virus - together with the safety measures we are putting in place - give us as good a basis as we could have hoped for to get children back to school.”
Ms Sturgeon also flagged up new guidance which “makes clear that, in general, physical distancing between pupils will not be required while on the school estate, although distance should be maintained between pupils in secondary schools where possible - provided this does not compromise the return to full-time schooling”.
She added: “Distancing should also be maintained between staff members, and between staff and pupils.
“The guidance also sets out the risk-mitigation measures that must be introduced in all educational settings. These include ventilation, good hygiene practices, and improved cleaning regimes.”
She also highlighted public health measures to be put in place for schools, which “include Test and Protect, and fast priority access to testing for any symptomatic staff and pupils”.
Ms Sturgeon added: “We will also establish an enhanced surveillance programme in schools, which will allow us identity any impact of the virus on pupils and staff in schools across the country.”
However, the Greens’ leader, Patrick Harvie, raised concerns about the government’s inability to guarantee that this surveillance programme would be fully operational in schools by 11 August.
Funding for ‘1,400 extra teachers’
Ms Sturgeon also said that “in addition to £45 million previously announced, we will make a further £30 million available to support the recruitment of additional teachers [which] will enable the recruitment of around 1,400 extra teachers”.
Meanwhile, another £30 million, added to the £20 million already announced, will form an “education recovery fund for local authorities”.
Ms Sturgeon said: “This will support extra cleaning, facilities management, school transport and other practical measures that are absolutely vital in ensuring a safe return to school.”
Reacting to the first minister’s statement, EIS union general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “The EIS believes more could be done to reassure school communities around safety if smaller classes were introduced as the norm, employing the many unemployed teachers currently seeking work. The additional funding announced is welcome, therefore, but this needs to translate into smaller class grouping to support physical distancing amongst pupils.
“Smaller classes would also provide real extra support to pupils, who we know will have suffered emotionally as well as educationally as a result of lockdown. Reopening schools is only the start of education recovery.”
Ms Sturgeon also said today: “I want to take the opportunity again today to thank children and young people for the way you have coped with this disruption to your lives.
“I think I speak for the whole country when I say we couldn’t be prouder of you. And I promise will we do everything we can to get things back on track for you as quickly as possible.”
The first minister confirmed publication today of updated guidance for childcare providers that will come into effect from 10 August.
She said it “doesn’t represent a return to complete normality for childcare providers - but it reduces the current restrictions, while setting out age-appropriate measures to minimise risks for staff, children and families, and communities”.
