Coronavirus: Scotland's schools have work to do before classes start again – Ian Swanson

IT seemed the logical answer, based on the Scottish Government’s cautious approach and the practical problems of maintaining physical distancing among children in overcrowded buildings.

But when John Swinney said on TV two weeks ago it was “unlikely” schools would get back to anything like normality before the end of the school year, it resulted in an outcry from parents dismayed at the prospect of pupils spending the next 12 months with only part-time schooling.

A couple of days earlier, Edinburgh had set out its plans for so-called “blended learning” which envisaged pupils being in class for an average of just 1.3 days a week and having to learn at home the rest of the time.

Quite apart from the potentially serious damage it could do to their children’s education, parents were worried about the childcare issues it raised and their ability to get back to work.

Insiders say several other local authorities had very similar plans but once they saw the reaction to Edinburgh’s proposals they decided to keep quiet and see what happened.

Recognising the strength of feeling, Nicola Sturgeon moved quickly and the day after Mr Swinney’s interview told the daily coronavirus briefing: “It is absolutely not the case that we are ‘planning’ for blended learning to last a year – or anything like it.”

When Ms Sturgeon had announced back on May 21 that schools would not reopen until after the summer, she made clear that “to allow appropriate physical distancing, children would return to a blended model of part-time in-school and part-time at-home learning”.

But just over a week after saying blended learning could last all year, Mr Swinney told MSPs all pupils would actually being going back full-time from August, with no physical distancing.

Blended learning was relegated to being the contingency plan – something which had to be got ready but which everyone hoped would not be necessary.

The government’s explanation for the U-turn was that there are now only 2,000 Covid-infectious people in Scotland compared with over 20,000 back in May.

It is a dramatic improvement, but it did not happen overnight – or in the nine days between Mr Swinney’s TV interview and his announcement in the Scottish Parliament. It is clear pressure from parents played a key part in changing the plans.

Nevertheless it probably is a sensible move and is likely to be welcomed by most pupils and most staff as well.

But there are still many questions to be answered. Mr Swinney said there would be no physical distancing between pupils, but it is not yet clear if there will be rules on pupils keeping their distance from staff or members of staff maintaining a set distance from each other.

In another interview, Mr Swinney appeared to signal secondary school pupils might be asked to wear face coverings, but primary pupils would not be.

And what about perspex screens fitted as protective shields to teachers’ desks? Mr Swinney said he was “not personally sympathetic” to the idea, but would listen to scientific advice.

There will also have to be extra cleaning and hygiene precautions in schools. And Mr Swinney has promised he will have talks with the teaching unions.

These are all key issues which need to be settled sooner rather than later. It’s only six weeks until August 12 and everyone knows how quickly time flies during the summer holidays.

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