Gavin wants pupils, their families to get Covid tests Top Story June 6, 2021 LONDON: The UK Education Secretary has urged students and their families to take a coronavirus test ahead of the return to classrooms next week, following the half-term break. The Government praised the “herculean efforts” of students and staff after more than 50 million rapid tests have been taken in schools and colleges across England since January. A major testing programme has been in place since March to help identify and isolate asymptomatic cases, and ensure schools are kept open. Pupils are encouraged to build twice-weekly testing routines, which the Government say has been “critical” to reaching the milestone number of tests.