The controversial plans for pupils in England to start returning for school on 1 June is in stark contrast to approaches in the rest of the UK and in Ireland.
Here is the latest from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland:
Scotland: Teachers must have ‘clarity and confidence’ before returning
First minister Nicola Sturgeon said this week that teachers and parents must have “clarity” and “confidence that it is safe” before pupils return to school. Although a return for some pupils before the summer holidays has not been ruled out, it appears unlikely. Aside from other considerations, the school holidays in Scotland start several weeks earlier than in England.
Both Ms Sturgeon and her deputy John Swinney - who is also education secretary - have made clear that the 1 June target for some pupils to return in England does not apply to Scotland.
As in England, the cancellation of exams in March has led to huge upheaval, and there are a number of ongoing concerns about the emerging system for grading students this year. However, Mr Swinney and the Scottish Qualifications Authority have repeatedly stated that students should still receive their results on 4 August, the date that was in the calendar before the Covid-19 outbreak.
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Wales: Any decision on schools must be communicated ‘well in advance’
First minister Mark Drakeford appeared to indicate at the weekend that schools would not be reopened anytime in June. Education minister Kirsty Williams had previously made clear that England’s plans to start bringing back pupils on 1 June would not be followed in Wales.
She gave “my guarantee that we will give everyone time to plan ahead of a next phase [for schools] starting”, adding: “Any decision to increase the operation of schools will be communicated well in advance.”
Ms Williams also said: “We will continue to be guided by the very latest scientific advice and will only look to have more pupils and staff in schools when it is safe to do so.”
Northern Ireland: PPE and social distancing must be addressed first
Education minister Peter Weir has spoken of a possible phased return of schools in September.
He told the BBC last week that there were a number of “practical measures” that need to be addressed, including securing PPE for staff, putting social distancing in place to allow school meals, and ensuring rules are adhered to on school transport.
He indicated that Northern Ireland would not be guided by the UK government’s plans alone, adding that ministers were only getting “one bite of the cherry” to get their decisions right. Mr Weir also said that any reopening of schools would be “guided by science and health, and will not be date-driven”.
Republic of Ireland: Still unclear how schools can fully reopen in September
Minister for education Joe McHugh said this week that he expects schools will be able to reopen in September, and that work is underway to ensure this can be done in a safe way.
Schools and colleges have been shut in Ireland since March. Mr McHugh also said it was too early to say how schools could reopen fully in September while applying social distancing.
It was only announced last Friday that the country’s Leaving Certificate exams - broadly equivalent to A levels or, in Scotland, Highers and Advanced Highers - will not go ahead this year.
Instead, students will have the option of receiving grades calculated by their teachers based on their school work. Students have the option to sit exams at a later date.
