Teaching unions urged to 'stop playing political power games' after trying to stall Government plans for schools to reopen
- Two teaching unions resumed battle against children returning to classrooms
- NASUWT warned schools will need time to review & adjust reopening measures
- Ministers insisted it remained the Government's 'absolute priority' to get all students back to school next month
Teaching unions were last night urged to 'stop playing political power games' after trying to stall the Government's school reopening plans next month.
Two unions resumed their battle against children returning to classrooms after Boris Johnson's decision to pause lockdown easing on Friday.
The NASUWT demanded more clarity over the plans, warning schools will need 'time to review and, if necessary, adjust' reopening measures. The National Education Union (NEU) issued a statement calling for a 'Plan B' in case lockdown restrictions increased.
Teaching unions were last night urged to 'stop playing political power games' after trying to stall the Government's school reopening plans next month (Stock image)
However, ministers insisted it remained the Government's 'absolute priority' to get all students back to school with 'face-to-face contact' next month. Last night Robert Halfon, Tory chairman of the Commons education select committee, said he was concerned about the attitude taken by unions which appeared to be that it was 'impossible for kids to go back'.
He told the Mail: 'Really their attitude should be 'We must find a way to do it'.
'We need to get our children back to school. The risk otherwise to their mental health, safeguarding and education will be enormous.
'There is nothing more important and the unions should be thinking of ways to get them back to school rather than trying to find ways to stop it.' Chris McGovern, of the Campaign for Real Education, branded the unions a 'complete disgrace'. The former head teacher said: 'It's time for the unions to stop playing political power games and put the interests of the pupils first.' When schools do return next month, stringent measures will see children restricted to 'bubbles', with staggered break times and meals to keep groups separate.
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Many are already drawing up a plan to continue teaching pupils at home in case another lockdown prevents them reopening. They are said to be waiting to see how the situation unfolds this month before issuing details to families. Guidance from the Department for Education updated last week stipulates schools must be ready to teach children from home, including delivering online classes in real time, if forced to close.
Yesterday Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said schools would definitely return to full capacity next month. However, ministers continue to find themselves at war with unions who have fought hard against pupils returning until it is deemed totally safe.
Amid warnings of a virus second wave, the NEU issued a statement over the weekend saying the Government needed 'to monitor the situation nationally and in each region' and 'be transparent about what the picture means for schools'. Deputy general secretary Avis Gilmore said: 'It is clear, however, that the Government needs a Plan B in the event that restrictions have to be increased in or before September.'
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick (pictured) said schools would definitely return to full capacity next month
Meanwhile, Patrick Roach, of the NASUWT, told the Observer: He added: 'If schools are to reopen safely, the Government will need to give them clarification about what they need to do to take account of the latest scientific evidence and advice, as well as sufficient time to review and, if necessary, adjust their reopening plans.'
In response, Mr McGovern said: 'We shouldn't be trying to keep finding excuses not to send them [children] to school. You're more likely to be struck by lightning on the way to school than be harmed by the virus when you get there.
'Other countries across Europe are opening again and so should we. We have the youngest teaching force in Europe so no one is better equipped than us to reopen.'
He insisted: 'It's the children who are suffering and by stalling further we are risking the absolute annihilation of education for those less-privileged.'
A Department for Education spokesman said: 'We have set out the controls schools should use, including cleaning and hygiene measures, to substantially reduce the risk of transmission of the virus when they open to all children from September.'
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