Esther McVey has urged Government to immediately set out in detail how Covid testing for pupils will change in September – giving schools time to prepare and ensuring no child’s education is further disrupted.
The Tatton MP said it was no good announcing plans in August and expecting schools and teachers to have everything in place for the new school years.
Instead she wants an announcement this week or at the latest next week from Government over its planned changes, which will end the “bubble” system currently being used by schools and colleges up and down the country.
Ms McVey said: “Children need to be in school and there has been too much disruption to their education this past 18 months. Talking to teachers in my schools, it is clear they need clarity from Government as they want to ensure, as I do, each child gets the best education. That means that child being in school and not being sent home repeatedly and forced to isolate. Not only is it bad for their education, so many parents have told me it has taken a toll on their child’s mental health. Government has said bubbles will be scrapped and there will be a change in the way children and students are tested and so Government need to set out what that means in detail. A decision has been made so there are no reasons why details cannot be announced now, there is no need to wait until mid-August.”
Scrapping bubbles will end whole classes or at times entire year groups being sent home following a positive case. The system has meant teachers forced to adapt lessons into online learning formats and caused significant disruption to schooling.
Ms McVey said too many questions remained unanswered about the changes, including who will be required to test the children, how often testing will be required and which children will be tested.
She added: “This detail needs to be set out in the coming days. We owe it to our children to get this right and ensure they are in school where they belong, getting a good education, delivered in a safe environment by their teachers. The mental health of our young people really suffered throughout this pandemic with a 40 per cent increase in prescribed anti-depressants to under 17s. We all know the part education plays in future life chances so it is vital this announcement is made immediately and we get it right. Set out how children are going to be tested and keep them in school.”
