Schools returning

It is easy to say get the kids back in school, clean frequently, socially distance the children, rearrange the classrooms, have kids in part-time. But for every one of these statements there are a myriad of existing issues that make all of these precautions extremely difficult if not impossible to deliver.

Clean Frequently - who, when, what with?
Socially distance children - how? Littlies do not understand/are not capable of this. They also sneeze on you, pick their noses, suck their jumpers - it’s all part of growing up. They also need cuddles and touch when they are upset. It is cruel to deprive them of that.
Re-arrange classrooms - how? Many schools are already at capacity (IT suites/libraries now classrooms).
Kids in part-time - how? Teachers have their own kids at home. If they are working full time but their own kid is in part time how does this work?

Ideas - work up to schools going back by piloting more children at hub schools. Teachers to wear visors (better than masks for teaching) and gloves so protected from stray sneezes. Vulnerable and key workers children back first. Extra cleaners and janitors and proper cleaning materials available to all. Next bring back children of people who cannot work from home. Some teachers continue to support the online learning whilst those that can go back into schools. Avoid the part time as long as possible because it doesn’t help get people back to work. Eventually you bring more and more kids back but it should be a slow process. Personally I think littlies and children not able to understand why touch is not ok need to stay home longer. But this I know does not help get people back to work. Thanks for listening.

Why the contribution is important

So we do not rush schools back without considering safety and logistics. People high up in govt don’t always know what it is actually like on the frontline. What it is like when there is no money to buy hand gel or pay for extra cleaning. It is easy to blithely make a policy “extra cleaning” “children socially distant” but the reality is far more difficult to implement.

by Katymg on May 09, 2020 at 01:24PM

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Comments

  • Posted by cdgilmour May 09, 2020 at 16:32

    Keep online home schooling an option rather than forcing all children to return when they and their parents are not psychologically or emotionally ready. The same applies to teachers. Allow the children of parents who are unable to work from home to return. There should certainly be an element of choice for the foreseeable future.
  • Posted by JustANumber May 09, 2020 at 16:58

    Cancelling students chance to take thier Highers (or A levels and O levels) was a knee jerk reaction. Allow students the option of taking thier exams regardless of whether they attend school or not. Childless people are being asked to pay for an educational system which is dysfunctional.

  • Posted by Proudsister May 09, 2020 at 19:06

    I think a conversation is needed about how long it is ethical to keep kids off school for when they are at such low risk from COVID but are missing out on their education - with many children receiving no education and also losing out on the protective factors school brings when it comes to child protection. I don’t know what the answer is but I think it should be thought about.
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