Schools are short of supplies at the best of times. The thought of heading back into class right now, with Johnny borrowing my pencil, licking it, sharing it with Jane, before returning it to my desk, fills me with dread. I want to see my peers but not if it means playing Russian roulette with people’s lives, potentially causing a second, more severe spike of coronavirus.
Children bounce back quickly. They will catch up on social interactions and work missed. But I fear that if we go back too soon, adults and in some cases children will continue to fall ill — and who will teach our children then?
Let’s wait a little longer before we return. Let’s not risk people’s lives. Let’s wait for the correct PPE and for track-and-trace. Just a few more weeks might make the difference.
Emma Fletcher, Teacher
Editor's reply
Dear Emma
The simple truth is that you cannot ease the lockdown, and open schools, without risking an increase in infections, however comprehensive your preparations. Nor can we count on a vaccine any time soon.
So we face a choice. We can keep schools closed indefinitely — that would avoid any risk of infection, and keep teachers completely safe, but do terrible damage to the life chances of our children. Today’s report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies shows children from poorer families are spending much less time learning remotely from home. The alternative is that we find practical ways, as other nations have, to open schools next month and try to minimise, but not eliminate, the risk of infection. Teaching unions have made a mistake opposing this sensible approach, and Labour’s leader has made his first major misstep in siding with them.
George Osborne, Editor
