NASUWT - The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers

11/26/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/26/2021 09:11

NASUWT calls for reintroduction of Covid mitigations in Guernsey schools

Ministers must urgently reintroduce Covid safety mitigations in Guernsey schools, amid soaring case numbers which appear to be driven by infections amongst pupils and staff.

The NASUWT-The Teachers' Union, has today written to the States to warn that without the reintroduction of proportionate safety measures, children's education will continue to disrupted and the safety and welfare of school staff, pupils and the wider community will be put at risk.

The Union is calling for:

  • A pause on whole-school assemblies and in-person staff/parents meetings
  • The reintroduction of mandatory face coverings in all school areas
  • The postponement or cancellation of any non-essential activities.

Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of the NASUWT
, said:

"Schools in Guernsey currently have some of the lowest levels of Covid safety mitigations. Face coverings, though recommended, are seldom worn by pupils in communal areas. Carbon dioxide detectors have not been rolled out in the same way as in other jurisdictions.

"At a time when we are seeing an exponential rise in cases, with many linked to schools it is prudent and essential that the States takes action.

"The focus must be on protecting public health and avoiding further damaging disruption to pupils' education. Introducing and enforcing compliance with the proportionate measures we have set out in our letter will help in the fight to avoid a bad situation becoming worse in the run up to Christmas.

"Pupils, parents and school staff must not be left to have to pay the price of a lack of appropriate Covid safety measures in the run-up to the Christmas holidays."