Secondary school students in Scotland will continue to wear face coverings in class, according to new guidance from the Scottish government.
A more cautious approach is being taken, advised by clinicians including chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith, to provide ample time for 12- to 15-year-olds to take up the first dose of Covid vaccination.
A sharp drop in Covid cases across the country has slowed down, with figures rarely dropping below 2,000 per day in the past three weeks.
The rule on wearing face coverings in communal areas for secondary students and staff, as well as primary staff, will also continue.
Background: Scottish heads welcome plan to remove masks in class
News: Vaccination progress ‘needed before mask rule change’
Covid safety: Scottish Tories call for no more masks in schools
Vaccination: Covid vaccine approved for 12- to 15-year-olds
Related: What it’s like having to teach with a face covering
But education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has said the restrictions will be lifted “at the earliest possible time”.
The new guidance comes after it was revealed that the Scottish government was considering abandoning the requirement for masks in secondary classrooms after the October break.
Covid: No lifting of face mask guidance for Scotland’s schools
School Leaders Scotland (SLS) said at the time that it supported the move but teaching unions argued that there needed to be a significant increase in vaccination before the mitigation could be lifted.
The EIS also objected to the change being mooted whilst teachers were on holiday.
Today Ms Somerville said: “In recent weeks we have seen the previous sharp decline in Covid-19 case numbers starting to level off, and that is why we have decided to adopt a cautious approach and maintain safety mitigations in school for the time being.
“Progress with vaccinating 12- to 15-year-olds has been remarkable and is already over 40 per cent.
“However, this was only rolled out a few weeks ago and allowing further time will mean that that encouraging figure rises even higher.
“This decision is based on advice from senior clinicians and takes account of the most recent data.
“We will continue to monitor case rates on a weekly basis, with a view to lifting restrictions at the earliest possible time.”
Existing COVID-19 safety mitigations in schools are to remain for now, following advice from senior clinicians
Pupils will continue to be required to wear face coverings in secondary school classrooms as they begin to return from the Oct break
More ➡️https://t.co/YJWp0mvsjK pic.twitter.com/UBPusXknU8
- ScotGov Education (@ScotGovEdu) October 19, 2021
Ms Somerville added: “While I fully understand that this will be disappointing news for some young people and their parents, as has been the situation throughout, the safety of children, young people and all education staff remains the overriding priority.
“There is no room for complacency and we must all continue to remain vigilant to reduce the spread of Covid-19.”
Scottish Conservative shadow education secretary Oliver Mundell said the continued requirement for face coverings “will come as a massive disappointment to pupils and parents, given the SNP strongly indicated that masks in classrooms would end after the October break”.
Mr Mundell said: “Scotland’s schools should have been a priority for the SNP but with face masks in classrooms remaining, young people have once again been sent to the back of the queue.”
The EIS teaching union said in response to today’s announcement that the delay to the easing of mitigations was welcome “in light of continuing high levels of infection and the incomplete rollout of vaccinations for pupils”.
General secretary Larry Flanagan also said the decision would allow more time for school ventilation challenges to be met ahead of winter.
Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union, said: “We welcome the Scottish government’s decision to continue existing health and safety mitigations in schools.
“Regrettably, speculation on this matter over the past week has been unhelpful and caused unnecessary stress and anxiety to many teachers. It is essential that caution continues to be exercised at this time.”
Mike Corbett, NASUWT national official for Scotland, said: “Education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville acknowledges ‘the previous sharp decline in Covid-19 case numbers starting to level off’, but in reality in some council areas in Scotland cases are on the increase again.
“This makes the decision to exercise caution on removing any health and safety mitigations a sensible one.”
The new Scottish government guidance can be viewed here.
