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Should Schools Close? Isle Of Wight Has Its Say Ahead Of Second Lockdown

Nearly 70% of those who filled out an Isle of Wight Radio poll think schools should shut in the wake of the second coronavirus lockdown.

68.4% believe it is not safe for schools to remain open, where as 31.6% of people surveyed say the right procedures are in place for them to stay open.

It adds to growing calls for education settings on the Island - and across the country - to close.

The Government says schools WILL remain open - but what do you reckon? Is it safe? Should schools shut during the second lockdown? Thumbs up for yes and sad face for no. Comment your thoughts below.

Posted by Isle of Wight Radio on Monday, November 2, 2020


Nation Education Union

The National Education Union (NEU) has called on schools and colleges to be included in any such lockdown - and for rotas to be introduced at the end of the lockdown period.

Islander Peter Shreeve, assistant district secretary of the NEU, thinks they should only remain open to the children of key workers and vulnerable children:

"It seems self-defeating for the Government to impose a national lockdown, whilst ignoring the role of schools as a major contributor to the spread of the virus.

"This latest lockdown will impose pain on the whole community - but will not be as effective as it could be without the inclusion of schools. Ignoring the role of schools and colleges in the spread of the virus is likely to lead to the need for even longer lockdowns in future."

The union pointed to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which shows infection rates are highest among older teenagers and young adults.

ONS data shows 2.01% of Year 7 to Year 11 pupils are testing positive for COVID-19. Infection rates for age 2 to Year 6 are at 1.04% and Year 12 to age 24 are at 2.30%.

"Must listen to science"

The Isle of Wight Green Party has also backed calls for the school closures during the second national lockdown.

Youth and Student Officer for the Isle of Wight Green Party Cameron Palin said: 

"We must listen to the science! Infection rates in secondary schools have quadrupled since returning in September and It is inexcusable that the government is arguing the case to keep schools open during a national lockdown.

"Members of the Governments SAGE have said if we want to drive down infection during this 4 week lockdown then closing schools will dramatically decrease the spread of the virus. Having bubbles of between 30/60 in primary schools, 200+ in secondary schools and a similar number of pupils in college and sixth form bubbles undermines the principle and aim of a national lockdown.

"If the government wanted get the economy and people’s lives back to normal as quick as possible then we need to close schools now, for them to be included in the 4 week lockdown and when they return to be on a rota bases system. The government should have acted sooner and their indecisiveness has led to a higher infection rate, so now is the next best opportunity to surpress the spread of the virus and protect as many lives as possible.

"We understand some families many struggles with having children at home during term-time, so it is important that support is in place for families which would needed to be fully supported and funded by department for education. It is also vitally important remote working is fully enabled by schools for all pupils if/when all schools close and when schools finally return following the national lockdown it's important they return on a rota basis."

Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely says it is important to understand the 'balance of risk' with coronavirus and damage to education.

He says he is concerned about the effects of another lockdown.

Bob Seely

A number of schools on the Island have already had positive COVID cases, including Ryde School and The Bay CE School in Sandown.

The Isle of Wight Council says if your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they must not come to school and should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared.

Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for testing and this can be arranged via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.

What does the Government say?

The Government has so far resisted calls for schools to shut, ahead of the national lockdown on Thursday (5).

Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, cabinet minister Michael Gove said "we want to keep schools open."

He told the presenter that "necessary measures" to keep schools open were being taken.

He also rejected suggestions that keeping schools open would mean a longer period of lockdown across England. He said schools staying open would not contribute to the continued transmission of coronavirus.

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