Thousands of students returned to the classroom this week to relax Covid-19 safety measures.
The principals’ union warned that reducing mitigation measures this semester may lead to an increase in the infection rate of school-age children. A leader said that this is a “case of blow and hope” from the government. government
School With the university U.K It is no longer necessary to keep students in grade “bubbles” to reduce mixing, and masks are no longer recommended.
children If they are exposed to a positive Covid-19 case, they do not need to be isolated. Instead, they need to undergo a PCR test and isolate only if they are positive.
However, all middle school students were invited to take two lateral flow device tests at school when they returned to class-three to five days apart-in England.
We are also worried that there will be an interruption in the fall semester and an increase in the number of school-age children
Secondary schools and universities can stagger the return time of students in the first week to manage the Covid-19 asymptomatic detection process.
Jeff Button The Secretary-General of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said that although scientists have warned that there may be higher cases, the safety measures this semester have been relaxed, which seems “very strange”.
He told PA News Agency: “A lot of mitigation measures were taken at the end of the summer semester, but we have moved from that measure to less stringent measures this semester. It seems strange that almost no one knows how effective this will be, the scientist warned, The probability of infection in school-age children increases exponentially.
“This is indeed a bit like the government’s crackdown and hope.”
Students in England and Wales started returning to class this week.
Most schools in Northern Ireland returned last week, but all remaining schools will open on Wednesday.
Schools in Scotland have resumed after the summer break, and it is believed that the reopening has led to an increase in cases north of the border.
Mr. Barton added: “As most students are preparing to return to class this week, there is an urgent need for stability. The government needs to constantly review the situation and be prepared to respond to more support from schools and universities, if any.
“We cannot again see an alarming spiral increase in the number of out-of-school children, and we must be alert to the health risks of infection.”
He also called on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) to make a decision on whether young students should be vaccinated.
The NHS is preparing to ensure that it is ready to provide Covid-19 vaccine to all children aged 12 to 15 in England starting in early September, although it has not yet made a decision on this age group.
This semester still encourages schools and universities in England to strengthen hygiene and ventilation, and asks middle school and university students to continue to conduct tests at home twice a week.
Last month, the government announced an investment of £25 million to deploy approximately 300,000 carbon dioxide monitors in public schools and colleges in England to help reduce the spread of Covid-19.
The security measures recommended by the four countries are slightly different.
It really feels a bit like the government’s crackdown and hope
Paul Whiteman, secretary-general of the NAHT Union of School Leaders, worries that the cancellation of many mitigation measures may lead to further “damage.”
He told the PA: “The worry is that the government has almost cancelled all mitigation measures we took when the school was disbanded. For parents who may not understand all the changes required by the government, this may put school leaders in an embarrassing situation. .
“We are also worried that the fall semester will be interrupted and the number of school-age children will increase. This may require emergency procedures based on the recommendations of the health director of the local authority or the central government. This will lead to further confusion.”
He added that the introduction of carbon dioxide monitors will only confirm the existence of poorly ventilated areas.
Mr. Whiteman said: “In some classrooms, this is not as simple as opening a window, especially when winter is approaching.
“When we return to school in September, we will see the same ventilation as we did 12 months ago. This is not a good situation. The government needs to properly equip the school to avoid further interference and speed.”
Earlier this week, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson stated that parents should ensure that their children are regularly tested for coronavirus because he warned young people not to be “taken away” when they return to school.
He made the above comments after experts warned that by the end of September, a large number of coronavirus infections in schools were “very likely”.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Education said: “Education remains a national priority. The success of the vaccine program means that schools and universities will provide students with high-quality face-to-face education with minimal disruption to students.
“Existing measures strike the right balance between ensuring school safety—enhancing ventilation, Covid testing, and vaccinating older students and faculty members—with the removal of air bubbles and masks to reduce interference.”
