Plans to Scrap School Restrictions Criticised by Education Union

 Earlier this month, Education Secretary Gavin Williams announced that Coronavirus restrictions in schools would soon be lifted. From the 19th of July, school isolation bubbles will be scrapped alongside all other restrictions in England.

 

According to current rules, if one pupil tests positive for Covid-19, the whole class must be sent home to self-isolate. However, questions were raised about the efficiency of isolation bubbles as the number of children sent home quadrupled, despite only 4% being confirmed positive cases. When isolation bubbles are scrapped this month, NHS test and trace will take over the process. According to the Prime Minister’s outline to MP’s, from August 16th, under 18’s contacted by test and trace and identified as having ‘close contact’ with someone with the virus will no longer have to self-isolate. 

 

In his announcement, the Prime Minister also declared that restrictions on face-to-face teaching and learning in universities will no longer be restricted, except in the case of a local outbreak or if students have been advised to self-isolate. 

 

Education Secretary Gavin Williams stated, “Keeping children in consistent groups was essential to control the spread of the virus when our population was less vaccinated. However, we recognise that the system of bubbles and isolation is disrupting many children’s education. That is why we’ll be ending bubbles and transferring contact tracing to the NHS Test and Trace system for early years settings, schools and colleges.”

 

In response to the announcement, Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the Education Union, said, "Schools and colleges are doing everything they can to keep young people and the wider community safe. However, we must seriously question the wisdom of the Government's decision to take away so many safety measures. These mitigations are being removed at a time when cases are rising, school outbreaks are at the highest level all year and rising sharply, and children remain unvaccinated and at risk of transmitting the virus and suffering Long Covid themselves”. 

 

Dr Bousted goes on to call the Government’s plans “reckless and neglectful decision making” and that “the decision to remove requirements for masks in secondary classrooms from mid-May has led to a significant rise in cases of which Government appears oblivious”. 

 

The Government has also faced backlash from the Labour party, trade unions, and scientists after Covid’s new, more infectious Delta variant led to a sharp rise in numbers across the country. 

 

Earlier this month, Headteacher Lindsey Cooke told the BBC she was ‘nervous’ about lifting restrictions. However, she told the BBC that the limits in place had “served schools really well” during the pandemic. The British Medical Association is also calling for the continued use of face masks and new ventilation standards after July 19th.

 

The Delta variant is notoriously more transmissible. According to statistics from June,  the variant continues to dominate the country, with an estimated 1 in every 540 people infected. Although death rates have decreased, infection rates continue to rise. More than 46 million people in the UK are now vaccinated. However, those vaccinated are still at risk of contracting Coronavirus, especially the elderly, who often face the most troublesome cases and even death. 

 

The National Education Union called for face covering to be mandatory in all school areas and vaccinations to be available to all children under 12. 

 

Considering the rising case numbers and the struggle teachers face to control the spread of the virus in schools, it’s concerning that the Government is considering relaxing all restrictions so soon. The Delta Variant, which is 40% more transmissible than other Covid variants, could risk spreading even further without adequate restrictions in school settings. Yet, it appears scientific advice and warnings from school staff continue to fall on deaf ears. Currently, there’s no evidence to suggest that the relaxation of restrictions will be delayed, sparking increasing concern for students, teachers, parents and professionals across the country.