Scottish Government vow to ‘closely monitor’ schools return amid union calls for ‘immediate action’

The Scottish Government has vowed to “closely monitor” the schools return amid union calls for “immediate action”.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, the Education Secretary has made clear the “absolute priority” to keep schools open amid soaring coronavirus cases as she urged pupils to test at home for the virus before heading back to classes.

With schools across Scotland returning this week, Ms Somerville also urged secondary school students to take a lateral flow test either the night before lessons start back or on the

morning of their return.

The Scottish Government has vowed to “closely monitor” the schools return with students told to test for Covid before going to class.

It comes as the NASUWT teacher's union claimed its members want immediate action to avoid further disruption.

Ms Somerville said: “It is our absolute priority to keep schools safely open and minimise further disruption to learning.

“To achieve that, we need the help of the whole school community. Taking lateral flow tests before returning to school, and continuing to test regularly will help prevent outbreaks of the virus.

“We are grateful to schools for their continued efforts to stress the importance of asymptomatic testing.

“Parents of secondary pupils can also help by encouraging their children to make testing part of their weekly routine – and, importantly, to report all results online, whether positive, negative or void.

“Safety guidance for schools was updated in December in light of Omicron and it is crucial that all the mitigations are strictly followed.

“These include physical distancing, one-way systems and the correct use of face coverings.

“By testing regularly and following the mitigations, pupils and staff can all play their part in keeping themselves, their families and their schools safe.”

Chief medical officer Professor Sir Gregor Smith stressed with the new Omicron variant of the virus spreading rapidly it is “vital that we all do what we can to limit its transmission”.

He said: “Rapid lateral flow testing helps us to find infectious cases that might otherwise have been missed, as around one in three people with Covid-19 does not show classic symptoms.

“That’s why it is really important that secondary pupils and school and early learning and childcare staff take lateral flow tests before they return to classes and settings after the break, and that they keep testing regularly throughout term.”

He continued: “Pupils and staff who are eligible for vaccination should get their jags, and, where appropriate, boosters as soon as they can to receive greater protection from the virus.

“Those aged 12 to 15 are being offered second doses of the vaccine from this week and I would urge them to take up the offer.

“Drop-in sessions will be available for this age group from today while those who have already been given a date for their second jag can call a helpline to bring their appointment forward and get protection from the virus earlier.”

Sir Gregor and Ms Somerville made their appeals as a teaching union warned the rapid rise in Covid-19 cases could cause “significant disruption” to schools unless “immediate action” is taken by the Scottish Government.

Face masks are also now to be worn in classrooms in England's secondary schools, bringing them in line with the rest of the UK.