UK head teachers concerned about COVID test and trace scheme - survey

[rooster59]

UK head teachers concerned about COVID test and trace scheme - survey

 

FILE PHOTO: A social distancing sign is seen on the gate of a school as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Hale, Britain, May 31, 2020. REUTERS/Phil Noble

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Almost 70% of head teachers do not have confidence in the UK government's test, trace and isolate system ahead of the return of millions of school children next week, a new survey of over 4,000 school leaders has shown.

 

England's nearly 25,000 schools are set to return full time next week after many saw only a fraction of pupils return for the end of the last academic year.

 

They face challenges trying to manage the challenges of the coronavirus in busy buildings and what will happen if there is an outbreak in a school, as some other countries have seen.

 

The survey by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) of predominantly English schools showed that only 7% of school leaders said they were confident in the government’s test, trace and isolate scheme while 68% were not.

 

Only 30% are confident that pupils and parents understand government safety guidance for the return to classrooms and only 18% are confident about arrangements in case of a local lockdown in their area.

 

After failing to persuade schools to bring back all students before the summer, and a scandal over estimated exam results, Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson is keen to make sure the reopening now happens smoothly as he urges people to get back to some kind of normality after the coronavirus lockdown.

 

"Very clearly, school leaders need more information about the government’s track and trace scheme, and what the authorities will expect them to do if there is a local lockdown," Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT said.

 

"Leaders are also worried that public awareness about the return to school could still be low."

 

(Reporting by Marc Jones; editing by Stephen Addison)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-08-29

 

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[RichardColeman]

6 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The survey by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) of predominantly English schools showed that only 7% of school leaders said they were confident in the government’s test, trace and isolate scheme while 68% were not.

In all fairness to the government , when people give wrong names, wrong phone numbers and wrong other contact details to get round the system, you cannot really blame the government.

[Surelynot]

You have got to wonder where the 30% who have confidence have been.......I'd be thinking about moving schools.

[dunroaming]

Today the government confirmed their new 4 tier system for schools, three days before the schools are due back.  I won't bother detailing it as by Monday they will have changed their minds yet again!

 

God help us all with this shower of imbeciles in charge!

[chilli42]

I don’t get it.  Most of the time, the UK seems to have their act together - smart people, sensible actions.  What is it about Covid that has turned this normally positive approach on its head?

[oompie69]

"and what will happen if there is an outbreak in a school, as some other countries have seen"

So, what will happen if there is an outbreak? As kids are not very badly affected by this virus, why is this an issue for the schools?

It might place the teachers at some risk, but them just following the government's health and safety protocols should keep them protected.

However, It will increase the chances of kids becoming infected at school and then transporting the virus into their inner family circle where there may well be vulnerable members. Here again there are health and safety protocols to be observed.

Are the teachers not just, perhaps, all too happy to continue staying at home and delivering sub-standard education while still receiving full pay and benefits?

Also, with the weather in the UK slowly edging to cold and miserable, who wouldn't rather stay at home than have to trundle off to work?

 

[oompie69]

13 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

In all fairness to the government , when people give wrong names, wrong phone numbers and wrong other contact details to get round the system, you cannot really blame the government.

And track and trace means diddly squat because by the time the person shows symptoms,is tested and found positive many days would have passed, making this programme impractical and impossible to administer. And where on earth is the government going to get the money and manpower to make this work?  

[flossie35]

10 hours ago, chilli42 said:

I don’t get it.  Most of the time, the UK seems to have their act together - smart people, sensible actions.  What is it about Covid that has turned this normally positive approach on its head?

If you elect a bunch of inadequates led by a buffoon this is what you get. Don't blame covid, blame the voters.