Ignore speculation around schools reopening, education minister urges
The education minister stressed today that there are no plans to fully reopen schools in Wales on June 1st, amid growing speculation.
In a message posted on her Twitter account, Kirsty Williams also urged people to "think twice" before sharing information not from a direct source.
The Welsh Government has said that speculation on how lockdown measures may be lifted in England risks sending “mixed messages” to people in Wales and other parts of the UK.
Ms Williams said: "There is a lot of speculation about what may or may not be announced regarding schools in England this weekend.
“As I have said before, you will always hear directly from me on the decisions we make in Wales for our pupils, parents and school staff.
“The situation for schools in Wales will not change on 1st June. You have my guarantee that we will give everyone time to plan ahead of a next phase starting.
"Any decision to increase the operation of schools will be communicated well in advance."
Ms Williams said that critical workers and others who need to use schools or hubs for their children should continue do so.
She added: “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."
Next week, a working document will be published explaining the thinking behind the next steps for education in Wales, including childcare and further education.
The document will include how key decisions will be reached and who will be providing advice on those decisions.
Ms Williams reiterated that the five key principles she previously set out - to determine when and how schools will return to providing education for most pupils - will remain in place.
She added: “Of my five principles, the first, and most important, is the safety and mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of students and staff.”