The Scottish government position on social distancing in schools - based on the current prevalence of the coronavirus - has been that it is not necessary between pupils.
Today, however, education secretary John Swinney said guidance was being developed that recommended “extra precautions” in secondary schools and that social distancing should be maintained “where possible” between high school pupils - but school capacity must not be reduced.
Last week, the Scottish government’s scientific advisers said the evidence was “less clear” about whether distancing was necessary for secondary students - but on balance they supported no distancing and the full-time return of students.
Coronavirus: Plans for reopening schools in Scotland
Here is a summary of the other key points from Mr Swinney’s statement to Parliament and the questions that followed:
- Mr Swinney reiterated that there would be £100 million over two years to support the reopening of schools, saying £50 million would be ring-fenced to pay for school staff to “intensify support” and mitigate against “learning loss”. He estimated that would be enough for councils to employ an additional 850 teachers and 200 support staff. However, Labour education spokesman Iain Gray said the commitment amounted to just half an additional teacher per school. And Jamie Greene, the Conservative education spokesman, said one council alone had estimated that the cost of reopening schools would be £20 million so the funding “scratches the surface”
- £20 million would be set aside for extra school cleaning and transport, said Mr Swinney.
- £3 million was announced by Mr Swinney for youth work to support school reopening.
- There would be social distancing between students “where possible” in secondary schools, said Mr Swinney. This could be accomplished by managing the flow of pupils and staff within schools and adjusting the layout of classrooms. However, such measures should not “reduce the capacity within the school”, he said
- When it came to testing there would be an active test and protect system in place, as well as “a targeted, enhanced surveillance programme” to “cast more light on any impact on pupils and schools”, said Mr Swinney. But the Greens’ education spokesman, Ross Greer, criticised Mr Swinney for failing to commit to “routine testing”. Mr Swinney said there would be more detail next week on the testing regime that would be put in place.
- To reopen breakfast clubs would be a priority but after-school clubs “may have to wait longer” to get started because they involve the mixing of pupils from different groups.
- “Alternative arrangements” would have to be made for peripatetic school staff to avoid “unnecessary circulation of the virus”
- The government has committed to having a school counsellor in place in every secondary by the coming school year. The majority of school counsellors will be in place by September but some personnel may not be able to start until October, said Mr Swinney