Teachers' union claims decision to reopen Welsh schools is 'risking lives'
A teachers' union has strongly criticised the decision to reopen all schools in Wales on June 29th, claiming it is "risking lives".
The plans were outlined today by Welsh education minister Kirsty Williams.
Ms Williams said a four-week term ending on July 27th would give pupils, staff and parents time to prepare for a "new normal" when the next academic year begins in September.
A phased approach will see staggered starts, lessons, and breaks for different year groups, with a third of pupils at most in school at any time.
But in a statement, NASUWT claimed there is "no educational purpose" behind the decision, adding: "These are not good enough reasons for risking lives."
Neil Butler, NASUWT National Official for Wales, said: “Allowing all pupils the opportunity for contact time at their schools is the most dangerous option in terms of virus transmission.
“The Welsh Government is well aware of the extreme difficulty of social distancing in schools, especially for younger children. The Minister has also admitted that this is for a ‘check in’ and ‘catch up’, so there is clearly no educational purpose behind this decision. These are not good enough reasons for risking lives.
“We are still holding the Minister to the five key principles she made and we will expect that schools will not open on 29th June if there is any threat to the physical wellbeing of learners and staff.”
Ms Williams hit back during today's press conference, calling the comments "inflammatory".
She said: "It is not helpful I think, at this stage, to have inflammatory language.
"I would do nothing - and I have done nothing - to risk anybody's life."
Ms Williams added: "I'm surprised that any teaching union would negate the benefits of children being in front of their members.
"We know that online learning works best when it is supplemented by face-to-face contact. We have to get ready for a new normal, and we have to begin that process of moving to that new normal, which will be limited contact face-to-face in schools; more time at home, learning in a distance fashion.
"But it's surprising that any union would negate the ability of their members to use every opportunity to work with children."
Watch Kirsty Williams' response in full here:
The education minister said waiting until September would mean almost half a year without schooling, adding: "That would be to the detriment to the wellbeing, learning progress and mental health of our young people."
Ms Williams said the return plan was the "best practical option" and met the five principles she previously said would have to be met before a return could be considered.
Allowing pupils to return to the classroom was also the best way to meet the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged children, she added.
Ms Williams confirmed that parents will not be fined if they opt to keep their children at home for the remainder of the school year, saying: "We will respect parents' decisions."
But NASUWT added: “Parents and teachers will understandably have many questions about today’s announcement, and it is now up to the Welsh Government to demonstrate that it will be safe for schools to reopen to more children.
“Teachers and parents need to be convinced that the plans by the Welsh Government will not put at risk the health of staff, children or the general public.”
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