TEACHING unions in Scotland upped pressure on the Scottish government today over the dangers facing school staff around January’s shift to “blended learning.”
Workers in some parts of Scotland will return to classrooms on Monday following an announcement that schools will continue as normal until the Christmas break, with the holiday being extended until January 11 for most pupils.
The measures are part of restrictions imposed over the weekend, with online learning to resume for at least the first week of term though schools will be open for the most vulnerable and children of key workers.
But despite concerns over safety in the new year raised by unions, the government has said lessons will continue this week.
Call for immediate shutdown of Scots schools from teaching union
Union calls for immediate switch to online learning and says government plans for extended Christmas holiday don t go far enough.
Teachers union chiefs want schools closed immediately (Image: PA)
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Scotland’s opposition leaders have backed plans to impose tighter restrictions over Christmas, but called on Nicola Sturgeon to close schools immediately and publish the evidence for the decision.
The First Minister announced that indoor household gatherings would only be allowed on Christmas Day and a “strict travel ban” would be imposed between Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Schools will continue to open as normal until the start of the Christmas break, with the holiday being extended until January 11 for most pupils.
When the science speaks in such stark terms, the leadership of the country must listen and act. Shutting down mainland Scotland for three weeks will have a great impact on people’s lives, but it is the response that is necessary to match this new threat.https://t.co/ReT6fewvFC
Safety fears over Covid in schools: Scottish teachers vote for industrial action as Labour London Councils call for early school closures
Scottish teachers in three areas have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action over Covid safety fears.
Results of teacher ballots in three other Scottish council areas are awaited, while staff in the main support staff union in Glasgow are also being consulted over shutting schools. Meanwhile Labour councils in London boroughs have been prevented by the UK government in their call for early school closures amid a massive spike of Covid cases among young people across the capital.
Mike Picken reports on the latest crisis in education over Covid.
Britain
Friday 18 December 2020, by Mike Picken
Scottish teachers in three areas have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action over Covid safety fears.
Results of teacher ballots in three other Scottish council areas are awaited, while staff in the main support staff union in Glasgow are also being consulted over shutting schools. Meanwhile Labour councils in London boroughs have been prevented by the UK government in their call for early school closures amid a massive spike of Covid cases among young people across the capital.
On 15 December, the main teachers’ union in Scotland, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), announced the results of three consultative ballots on industrial action over safety concerns about Covid in schools. [1] In Glasgow, 93% of teachers voted in favour, on a turnout of 63%. In West Dunbartonshire, 91% of teachers backed the move to a dispute, on a turnout of 75%. In Fife, 90% of teachers voted in favour, on a turnout of 53%. Further ballo