Edinburgh parent councils unite to call for council to rethink back-to-school plans

PARENT councils across Edinburgh have sent a joint letter to the council voicing “deep concern” at the city’s plans for blended learning.

They say the authority has a legal duty to ensure adequate and efficient provision of school education, but they claim the back-to-school plan published last week, which would see 33 per cent of pupils in class at any one time, combined with home learning, “singularly fails to discharge” that obligation.

And they add: “It also fails to give effect to children’s rights under national and international law and is likely to increase existing inequalities significantly.”

The letter asks the council urgently to revisit the plan and engage with parents in improving the proposed provision.

It is signed by 11 parent councils, including those for James Gillespie’s and Boroughmuir Highs.

The letter also reveals the results of a survey of 1,000 parents in over 30 Edinburgh schools which found 89 per cent did not feel having 33 per cent of pupils in school was adequate.

The same proportion expected the council to investigate additional buildings such as libraries and church halls and 87 per cent expected it to look at using outside spaces such as the Meadows, Bruntsfield Links and Harrison Park.

Some 93 per cent said they expected increased support for in-home learning from August.

And 71 per cent felt communication had not been adequate since the lockdown began in March.

Suzie Bright, who has three children at Bonaly Primary School, said the council’s plans left Capital pupils at a serious risk of disadvantage.

“In all other responses to Covid-19 cost has not been a barrier in the way it is being presented as a barrier to education.

“I do appreciate the massive logistical challenge presented, but what we need is a mindset of opportunity.”