Return to schools

Schools returning need small class sizes and allow sufficient time to change groups to do a full deep clean. Potentially one week in school, one week at home system, especially for older children in S4-6 and high school generally, who are more able to work at home.

Why the contribution is important

This system would increase the ability to control infections between groups. If there is a positive test in the week 1 group this would allow time to identify this and remove the virus from surfaces before the week 2 group comes in.

by fionashona on May 06, 2020 at 12:08AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 2.1
Based on: 12 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Cubbs May 06, 2020 at 07:59

    I feel the opposite. Senior phase pupils need taught! Seeing their teachers once per week is the biggest disadvantage ever

  • Posted by kat2020 May 06, 2020 at 08:01

    Covid-19 will be with us for the foreseeable future, we need to adapt to a new normal which fosters social distancing whilst limiting the crippling shackles of lockdown – closer to a Swedish model which trusts its people to comply.

    The educating of our children presents a multitude of factors and requires holistic decision making considering:

    The safety of children – overwhelmingly it is a mild illness in the young.
    The absence of evidence of under 10s transmitting the virus.

    Safety for staff – schools and nurseries in a number of countries have reopened, learn how they have managed to return their children to schools without endangering teachers and staff. Most have prioritised nurseries and early years without social distancing and PPE being a factor but with a focus on personal hygiene and regular cleaning.

    Children’s education, development, welfare, mental health
    Loss of contact and identification of vulnerable children, loss of school meals
    Impact on their eventual job prospects and the links between poverty, health and deprivation.

    Economic impact on their parents not being able work.
    There has been scant guidance on childcare. Workers have been instructed to stay at home where possible and not to rely on elderly grandparents for childcare, there is support for parents home schooling, however no guidance on how parents are expected to work whilst also caring for and educating their children. Countries such as New Zealand have prioritised returning children of working parents to school.

    Nursery and early years children require the most care and are least able to participate in virtual schooling. Most countries have prioritised their return to school.

    Without access to childcare, women will be hardest hit, the damage to their livelihoods and careers could take a significant time to repair and undermine previous efforts.

    The debate has focused on when schools will reopen but not access to childcare. If schools remain closed until mid-August, should there not be separate consideration on when would be safe to extend access to childcare beyond households where all adults are key workers and the vulnerable.

    If private nursery and wrap around/holiday care facilities do not reopen soon they will go out of business. We are relying on this network currently to help care for the children of key workers and vulnerable children. They will also be needed to decrease the attainment gap and working parents rely on them to work.

  • Posted by cus1903 May 06, 2020 at 08:10

    in principle I see the benefit but worry about practical issues re childcare for working parents who have already suffered income loss

  • Posted by Mjgallacher May 06, 2020 at 09:07

    How would teachers plan and resource this method? Home learning at the moment requires constant communication with parents and video conferencing. This could not happen if also had a class to teach.
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