Returning to school

I would applaud decisions taken by Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney. You clearly have the health and welfare of pupil and staff as your top priority, which is only to be commended! Being a teacher I know that it is very difficult to enforce social distancing in a primary school. As a mother I would not be at all happy allowing my children a return to school before August. My son is also transitioning to high school so I understand the issues but stand firm that his health must be my biggest priority at this time. A decision regarding the reopening of schools has to be based soley on health and welfare not childcare. A phased return seems the obvious solution but employers would need to make concessions. I would also prefer a delay in transitions. It makes more sense for high schools with older children to return first as they recognise the importance of social distancing etc.

Why the contribution is important

I am a parent and a teacher. I recognise the issues involved. Many people I have spoken to who want their children back in school have never worked in a school and therefore do not understand the complexities of many issues. Our education system is one which encourages practical and collegiate activities which is very difficult when trying to socially distance. Before school closures I had children with bleeding hacked hands because they were washing them every time they had touched something or coughed etc. The issues are endless.

by Colekell77 on May 07, 2020 at 08:17PM

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Average rating: 3.6
Based on: 11 votes

Comments

  • Posted by koreadon May 07, 2020 at 20:28

    As a high school teacher, I agree with these concerns. It’s not just in primary school that social distancing would be a problem- especially with the practical element of many subjects as well as class sizes and the physical space in classrooms to separate pupils safely.
    I am concerned about the Senior Phase pupils losing out on a month of lessons in June and possibly beyond. Exams need to be delayed for next years diet.
  • Posted by angelamcd May 07, 2020 at 20:52

    totally agree with author of the comment ,we must not rush and our children are our future .
  • Posted by mikecon May 07, 2020 at 20:57

    Completely agree. The return of children to school is very important and is necessary as quickly as possible . But the logistics of this return -phased or other wise is extremely complex . It involves not only social distancing but which children return when; parents going back to work ; who takes and picks up the children whose parents return to work. Can it be grandparents who used to do it? - Doubtful. How do you maintain social distancing at school Starting and Finishing times. Time , Good planning and Communication and Organisation at all levels is required. -August /Sept at least for return
  • Posted by jacq9396 May 07, 2020 at 21:30

    As a nursery practitioner, I agree with the concerns of the teacher who commented above. Phased return would be a positive idea with secondary schools starting back before primary and nursery. Nursery children will not understand self-distancing well and need lots of support with hygiene too. I have read reports on the approach in Danish nurseries. Phased return, with parents dropping off children in separate zones. Practitioners guiding small groups( of 3 and 4) to experiences in separate nursery areas. Also more outdoor experiences, as there is, usually, more space outside. In addition, stringent cleaning, eg separate sand/water toys for each group and cleaning twice a day of toys, toilets and surfaces. This will be onerous for staff and difficult to adjust to, but Denmark is making it work. A similar approach could be used in schools.
    I believe that this would take time and planning to arrange, so it would not be a route that is open to Scotland before the summer holidays.
  • Posted by BigRabinPerth May 08, 2020 at 08:38

    A phased return certainly and continue education over the school holiday period. Clearly with consultation with Unions.
    Priority given to transition from Primary to Secondary children on a part time basis perhaps 3 day week.
    Extend to others years as system of pupil handling in restricted area of school is improved by experience.
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