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NASUWT bemoans ‘chaos and confusion' over open schools
EB News: 17/03/2020 - 15:16
Chris Keates has said that a lack of clarity about pupil and staff safety amid the coronavirus epidemic is putting teachers under ‘intolerable pressure’.
Keates, who heads the NASUWT union, said that the current government advice, which recommends keeping schools open, is causing increasing confusion and contributing to a ‘rising sense of panic’ as staff fear for their safety as more and more people get ill.
Headteachers have already said keeping schools open would become very challenging, with the National Education Union highlighting the pressure on vulnerable teachers, parents and other school and college staff. The NEU is advising members with underlying conditions to stay off work and is now urging Prime Minister Boris Johnson to close schools.
Ofsted has been given permission by Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, to temporarily suspend all routine inspections of schools, further education, early years and social care providers.
Keates said in a statement: “Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a public announcement which underlined the deepening gravity of the situation with regard to COVID-19 and the national and global crisis we are facing. Unfortunately, his statement failed to give the clear and definitive directions necessary to enable individuals, organisations and services to be confident in the decisions they are making or to provide the reassurance and assurance that people need at this time.
“All of the announcements continue to be couched as guidance or advice which is simply serving to increase anxiety and uncertainty. The lack of clear information with regard to the steps to protect teachers, headteachers and other staff working in schools in the context of commentators constantly referring to the threats posed by children carrying COVID-19 is causing chaos and confusion and placing intolerable pressure on all staff in schools and their families.”
A recent TeacherTapp survey found that only half of parents attended parents evening appointments at secondary schools, while a much higher percentage attend for primary schools.
Headteachers in Scotland, following over £1 billion investment from the government, say that the attainment of their pupils that are experiencing poverty has improved.
New research has found that one in four (28 per cent) school leaders and headteachers across England are planning to leave their roles, with 23 per cent attributing this to stress and poor mental health.
The Welsh government is to increase the funding for the Flexible Skills Programme from £1.3 million a year to over £7.5 million, with support available for employees to access upskilling or re-skilling training courses.
New data has found that Childline delivered 2,895 counselling sessions for anger issues, online and over the phone over the last year, which is a six per cent increase on the previous 12 months.