Safety will be paramount as schools prepare for full-time return, says Caithness civic leader
Caithness civic leader Willie Mackay has said he is proud of the area's head teachers as schools across Scotland look ahead to a full return at the end of the summer break.
He was speaking after this week's statement by Deputy First Minister and education secretary John Swinney, who said schools will restart on a full-time basis in August if Scotland continues to make progress on suppressing Covid-19.
Councillor Mackay, who represents Wick and East Caithness, said the safety of children and staff would be paramount.
"I was absolutely delighted to hear the announcement that plans are well ahead to get children back to full-time education in August," he said.
"It is paramount that an assured and effective reopening is undertaken and I am proud of our local area head teachers who fully recognise the importance of school settings not only in terms of education but for social and emotional reasons.
"There is a lot to be done to ensure the safety of children, teachers and school staff. This will be very much in our minds as we go forward, adhering to detailed guidance and information."
Previously the Scottish Government had said that a "blended learning" model, involving face-to-face teaching along with learning at home, could be in place for a year.
Mr Swinney said the change had come about after "significant progress" in reducing incidence rates of the virus.
The government has now made it a central planning assumption that pupils will return to class full-time in August. This is conditional on infection rates being sufficiently low to continue to control the virus, public health and testing systems being in place and protective measures and risk assessments being carried out in schools.
Mr Swinney also revealed that an additional £100 million will be invested over the next two years to tackle the impact of lockdown on schools and pupils.
“If we stay on track, if we all continue to do what is right, and if we can further suppress this terrible virus, then the government believes that we should prepare for children to be able to return to school full-time from August," he said.
“A return to full-time schooling would enhance the life chances of our children and young people and start to reverse any damaging impacts of recent months."
Mr Swinney emphasised that it would remain conditional and dependent on ongoing scientific and health advice.
The chairman of Highland Council’s education committee, Councillor John Finlayson, welcomed the announcement and said "it reflects the aspirations that have been communicated to me over recent days by so many parents".
He said: “The education of our young people is extremely important in terms of their educational, mental and social development, as well as their future opportunities and outcomes.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our school staff and our parents and pupils for their hard work and collaboration throughout the period of lockdown and especially over recent weeks when they have been developing plans to return pupils to school taking account of the rules that are currently in place. It has been a very difficult time,
“The safety of our children, our young people and all our staff has been paramount in all our preparations for return to school which include detailed planning and risk assessments. Safety will, of course, remain a top priority."
