Parents slam nativity ban as schools to stream plays online

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Politicians have backed calls for parents to be allowed to watch nativity plays in person after the council confirmed schools would have to stream plays online over covid-19 safety fears.

It comes after Scottish Government guidance was issued to schools banning nativity plays and Christmas concerts with a live audience.

Figures show that only half of Scottish schools have any active Covid cases, while “very few” have enough to be classified as an outbreak

But under the new guidance “seasonal events” within schools should not have live audiences and will need to use “alternative means” to make sure performances are available to parents.

Teaching unions have backed the rules and stressed the decision would help prevent outbreaks so schools could remain open.

Edinburgh council chiefs said they understand it is disappointing for parents not to attend nativities but stressed schools could send video links or do performances outdoors.

School trips to theatres have also been cancelled, leaving teenagers at city high schools disappointed after schools said it would breach government guidance.

Edinburgh Christmas: 92,000 people but parents can't go to their children's nativity play? - Your views online

Meanwhile, several independent dance groups in the capital attended by children as young as three are putting on ticketed shows at theatre venues in the coming weeks, which will be attended by large audiences.

Charlotte Bell whose son George, 4, attends a council nursery said: “It's shameful. I’m devastated like many parents. I’m a parent rep and we met up yesterday to discuss this. Some were on the verge of tears about it. We all understood it last year but this year there are so many other venues open and adults can do many activities in groups. We’re all already mixing and could hold a party in our house if we wanted.

"Kids get so much from performing in nativity. It's a cultural and social, as well as learning activity. They build confidence, take pride in it and for the first time they learn to feel that

they are part of something bigger. A community made up of a supporting body of families. It really captures the spirit of Christmas and watching it on video is no substitute. I hope

my son gets to do it at primary because he’s now missed the chance at nursery twice. He’s missed out on this important occasion that becomes part of a family’s history. It’s

dreadful. I think it’s high time the Scottish Government made children a priority. It comes down to the fact that there’s no economic pressure on them and that is just shameful.”

Emma whose daughter is in p2 at Trinity primary said: "It's good that they make the effort to show the plays online but its just not the same as being able to be there and be a part of it with them. This year it's even harder because there's so much we can all do in group settings. And the kids are all mixing in the class and playground, there's no bubbles anymore. It doesn't make sense. I think they shouldn't ban parents attending in person, and need to find ways to make it work."