Children could fall behind and parents made 'unemployable' if schools not 'fully' open in September, petition claims
Video report by Dean Thomas-Welch
A petition has been set up calling on Welsh Government to open schools fully in September and avoid 'blended learning'.
More than 8,000 people have backed the petition that claims "parents will be made unemployable" if blended learning goes ahead. Blended learning is a mixture of completing school work at home and being taught at school in a classroom.
The governments in Scotland and England have both said they intend to open schools fully after the summer break, without blended learning.
Parent Rachel Holborow, from Swansea, has had to play the part of mum, employee and teacher during lockdown. She says she'll have to consider resigning if her two sons aren't back in school full-time in September.
"75% of Welsh children are doing one hour or less of learning a day and that's certainly been my experience of it. I haven't been able to do more with them."
"I'm furloughed. My employer wants me back in September. If the Welsh Government don't come up with some answers soon, I am going to have to consider resigning, and I will not be unique in that situation."
From the 29 June, Welsh pupils were invited back to school as part of a staggered approach and school sessions were not compulsory. This means parents are not fined if their child does not attend.
Schools will be breaking up for the summer on either July 17 or 24, before returning in some form in September for the start of the next academic year.
Those behind the petition are concerned that when pupils do come back for next year, a part-time or combined approach of face-to-face and online at home learning will be introduced.
The petitions says: "Our children need to be back at school in September to prevent children in Wales falling behind other parts of the UK, allow parents to work and give children their right to a proper education."
Kerina Hanson, a headteacher at Pennard Primary School, Swansea, said there is a lot of frustration coming from parents about what will be happening when pupils return for the next term.
She added that a lot of preparatory work needs to go on behind the scenes beforehand so schools need to be told what kind of learning format they should start planning for.
Teaching union, NAHT Cymru have also asked Welsh Government to outline their expectations for September.
They said that despite "best efforts to work with the government on this and repeated calls to make a decision, plan have still not been finalised."
NAHT Cymru sent an open letter to Education Minister, Kirsty Williams MS, requesting that these plans be published on Monday 6 July so Welsh children are not "at a serious disadvantage".
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: "Wales is the only UK nation where all pupils have been given the opportunity to attend school before the summer holidays, to see their teachers and classmates and to 'check in, catch up and prepare' for summer and September.
"Good practice and evidence from this current period is helping inform school operations for the future. Wales is in a unique position in having this opportunity, and that is thanks to the efforts of heads, teachers and wider school staff.
"Health and scientific advice is evolving, and having to look ahead a further two months is an added challenge. The Education Minister is looking at that advice and evidence and will provide a further update in the coming days."