NASUWT threatens legal action if Jersey government fails to protect members

The NASUWT accused the government of 'failing to adequately meet its responsibilities to keep staff and pupils safe in schools' Credit: ITV Channel TV

A teaching union has threatened legal action against Jersey's government if insufficient protection for teachers leads to them being harmed.In a press release last night, the NASUWT accused the government of 'failing to adequately meet its responsibilities to keep staff and pupils safe in schools'.

It said further action would be considered if there is evidence that 'the welfare of members is being compromised.'Wayne Bates, a national negotiating official for the NASUWT today confirmed that could include legal action.

Last week, the States Assembly rejected calls to close schools early following an emergency debate. Teachers reported being 'terrified' about the current situation and the potential risk to both students and teachers of schools staying open.This morning, when questioned in the States Assembly, the Education Minister, Senator Tracey Vallois confirmed that 55% of pupils were already studying from home this week, as a result of parents unilaterally withdrawing their children early.

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Whilst that enables greater distancing between pupils in classrooms for the remainder of this week, Wayne Bates says it is also causing chaos.  He said that last week, the unions had advocated the government taking a more controlled approach.

Now, he says parents are effectively 'voting with their feet' by withdrawing their children from schools.

The government has assured islanders throughout that evidence points to minimal transmission within schools, and that it is young people's activities outside of school that is causing the virus to transmit amongst school age children.