COVID: Presidents are calling for all lessons to be online for schools in group testing areas

 

School administrators are calling on the government to allow high schools to take all teaching online to pupils undergoing massive tests for coronavirus in London, Kent and Essex.

The National Association of School Directors (NAHT) and the Association of College Leaders have written a joint letter to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson urging him to close the gates of high schools and colleges whose students are being tested this week and to carry out group testing. From students to other high incidence areas in England.

Unions say the measure will reduce the risk of contagion by these students in the classroom and on public transport, while avoiding a logistical nightmare for teachers and further disrupting children's education. "We can't just ask the already overburdened school staff to take these tests, because it will only stop the educational effort in the schools," said Paul Whitman, Secretary General of NAHT.

The Observer also realizes that the government is considering conducting mass testing for elementary school children. The Ministry of Education said it would not comment on the matter: "It has not been confirmed and therefore it is speculation."

Last week, the government began using emergency powers under the Coronavirus Act to threaten legal action against school administrators in England who wanted to switch to distance learning this week.

All schools that have planned to transfer most of their education online during the last week of the semester, to ensure that none of their students have to self-isolate on Christmas Day, are required to remain open.

The principal of Hertfordshire School has received an official letter from Secretary of Schools, Nick Gibb, warning him that the government is prepared to enact its new powers under the law to ensure his high school remains open to all students until Friday.

The school, Presdales in Ware, has planned to teach most of its students remotely during the final week of the semester, while continuing to offer face-to-face and socially distant classes for vulnerable students and any other students who wish to enter the school. . Only about 25 students were expected to attend, so they could all sit within six feet of a classroom.

"We have had nearly 50 [positive] cases since September and a major outbreak in the one-year-old group," said Director Matthew Warren. "There's no chance, in the last week of the quarter, that we won't have any issues."

On Tuesday last week, 170 employees and children, including half of the English department, were out of school and isolated. Warren said that teachers now "fear" having to call parents, especially younger students, to tell them that their children will have to avoid any contact with anyone else on Christmas Day.

Warren wanted to make sure his students didn't have to take this class during the holiday season. "As for mental health, heart and mind, we felt it was unfair, and the parents were very supportive."

Last Wednesday, the day before the school was scheduled to close, Jeb wrote a letter to Warren, stating that he was "willing to issue orders" to the board of directors to keep the school doors open and that he had the capacity to do so. According to Coronavirus 17. Ver. Refusing to comply would have allowed the Education Department to direct the Board of Trustees first and then request a court order requiring the school to offer lessons face-to-face, as per Warren's legal advice.

"We cannot defend that, it is not a good use of public money, so we are desperate," he said.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Education said that it is a national priority to keep educational environments open full-time and that it is essential that children remain in school until the end of the semester.

 

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