UK Prime Minister has assured the country that there will be a fully reopening of schools across the country in September.
Thirteen weeks ago, the UK went into lockdown, and schools had to shut down, to curb the spread of coronavirus. With cases decreasing countrywide and restrictions being lifted, the reopening school became a challenge, and in May, the government had already decided that every student needs to return by June and schools should be fully reopened.
However, this was not to be, as many parents, teachers, and students became hesitant to return back to school. The plan on fully reopening schools before the summer fell apart and, although school attendance has improved in the past few weeks, it is still not near its full capacity as the government had hoped for.
Fully reopening of schools in September
The government has now shifted its focus to a full reopening in September. The UK Prime Minister has expressed his optimism on multiple occasions that, in September, the schools will be running at full capacity.
Social distancing rules have also been relaxed, with scientists supporting the move and terming it as safe. The impact will see the social bubbles in classes increased from the current 15 students to 30 students, after the two-meter rule, social distancing rule was replaced by one-meter rule.
Challenges
One group, however, is doubtful about whether the plan to fully reopen schools in the country is realistic. They argued that, even with the increase in social bubbles in classrooms, the classes will still be much smaller to hold all the students safely.
Expanding classes will also have their own consequences, with schools running understaffed after the devastation of coronavirus on schools’ economic health. Layoffs and furloughing have crippled the ability of schools being able to continue with teaching kids in small groups.
Opposition of the plan
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), called the call for a reduction of social distancing from two meters to one, a fantasy that does not guarantee that all students will be accommodated in schools. He said there was not enough space and teachers to ensure that normal learning continues under conditions suggested by the government.
The Prime Minister, however, assured the Commons on Tuesday that he was confident in his government’s plan to fully reopen schools. He also said they had taken students’ safety seriously and schools will be able to run full capacity once they open.
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