Unions question plan to reopen classrooms on March 8 and say ‘phased’ return should be an option

Unions pour cold water on plan to reopen classrooms on March 8 and say ‘phased return’ to school should remain an option Several teaching unions have questioned plans to get pupils back in school Concerns were raised that the policy is being led by ‘dates not data’  The outgoing Children’s Commissioner has warned that some … Read more

Closing down classrooms only reduced coronavirus cases by 4% in NYC

School closures may do little to reduce the spread of coronavirus, a new modeling study suggests. Researchers found that preventing in-person learning only lowered the number of infections among young people by four percent in New York City. By comparison, social distancing of the entire population in public places lowered the number of cases and … Read more

Teachers go on strike in France where classrooms have remained open

Teachers have gone on strike in France demanding higher salaries and more government support amid the Covid-19 crisis. Schools have remained open since September because of the government’s concern over learning gaps, despite threats of a third lockdown in the country. Schoolteachers and university students marched together in protests or went on strike Tuesday around France … Read more

Fears that classrooms will remain closed until after Easter holidays unless Covid-19 cases fall

Schools could be shut until AFTER Easter holidays: Scientists warn classrooms should remain closed until Covid-19 cases falls dramatically Schools could remain shut until after Easter unless virus cases fall dramatically Education Secretary still hopes schools might return after February half-term But government source said it was becoming ‘increasingly difficult’ to see how schools could … Read more

Tory MPs urge government to add teachers to jab priority list so classrooms can reopen

Ministers are facing growing pressure to bump teachers up the vaccine priority list to allow schools to reopen. Senior MPs and industry figures have stressed that a speedy return to lessons is paramount to prevent lockdown wreaking further damage to children’s education.   Immunisation of teachers and staff is heralded as the key to get pupils … Read more

Only primary school children and students in Year 11 and 13 will return to classrooms next week

Secondary schools will be shut for at least a week apart from for children in years 11 and 13 – but primary schools will be open from Monday, Michael Gove said today.    The Government has given in to pressure from teachers and unions that millions of children will be taught online to coronavirus testing to … Read more

Priti Patel says school children will ‘eventually’ return to classrooms in the New Year

Home Secretary Priti Patel prompted fresh fears on Tuesday that schools could stay shut for the whole of January when she said pupils would ‘eventually’ return to classrooms.  Government sources had said on Monday that a delay to the return of secondary school children was being considered amid fears that children are more likely to … Read more

Matt Hancock refuses to rule out keeping classrooms closed after Christmas break

When WILL children go back to school? Matt Hancock refuses to rule out keeping classrooms closed after Christmas break Union leaders say return of secondary schools should be delayed for two weeks  Ministers have vowed to keep schools open after they shut in the first lockdown Matt Hancock urges head teachers to make sure pupil … Read more

Ministers will DELAY reopening of classrooms after Christmas with a ‘staggered’ return for pupils

Ministers will DELAY reopening of classrooms after Christmas with a ‘staggered’ return for pupils and online lessons amid surge in Covid cases – days after Gavin Williamson threatened councils with legal action if they closed early Education Secretary Gavin Williamson expected to make announcement later  January 4 and 5 return to be replaced with online … Read more

Joe Biden loses it at CBS reporter Bo Erickson who asked about kids going back to classrooms

President-elect Joe Biden got testy with a CBS News reporter who asked him a question on Friday about his plan to get children back into classrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic. The tense exchange took place just as Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris were wrapping up a meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate … Read more