Corona Daily 444: Back to School

Boris Johnson now wants his country to recover as rapidly as he did. The ‘Stay at home’ order has been replaced by a somewhat confusing ‘stay alert’. Last week, Johnson published a sixty page document detailing his plan to rebuild the UK, in which he wants to relax the restrictions on educational institutions. An Eton and Oxford scholar himself, little wonder he is keen to get the kids back to school. And who better to start with than the youngest? On 1 June, nursery, early years, reception (age 3-6) and grade 6 (age 10-11) will return to schools.

A meticulously prepared plan has been published for their school-coming. Here are the highlights.

The class will be split in two. No more than fifteen pupils with a single teacher will form a ‘protective bubble’.

Staggered timings for arrivals, assemblies, breaks, lunch times and departures prevent crowding and students are forbidden to bring anything to school – no schoolbag, no PE kit, no toys, not even pencil kits. As soon as they enter the school, they should wash their hands thoroughly. Every hour or so, staff will clean the classrooms, and pupils will wash their hands.

Pupils should ideally keep a distance of 2 meters all the time. (The UK formally use the word ‘ideally’ when they know it’s not going to happen).

Pupils may not recognize the classrooms they left in March. All soft toys and dinosaurs have been removed, because they can’t be cleaned. Desks are separated. Doors and windows are open. Corridors have been marked to ensure one-way-traffic. Sharing is caring, but not until the pandemic is over. No water play, no sand, no play dough is allowed. Each class will be given a box of books each day. After school the box will be put in quarantine. Nothing can be taken home, not even the pictures they have drawn. Playgrounds are marked off with sports cones. The school can use only easily cleanable equipment, like hoops or balls.

Masks are not necessary. However, if a pupil develops Coronavirus-like symptoms, the relevant teacher and staff should use gloves, an apron and a face mask. If someone tests positive, the entire bubble must go into self-isolation at home for two weeks.

Every day, when the child reaches home, parents must wash the child’s clothes.

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Johnson’s rational plan has surprisingly faced some resistance. Williamson, the education secretary, said the latest scientific evidence indicates it is safe to restart schools but the scientific advisor, Dame McLean said a full test, track and trace program should be in place first.

A small rebellion has begun. 35 councils and up to 1500 primary schools defy reopening. Teachers’ unions have called the plan irresponsible. Many parents don’t like the idea of offering their offspring as guinea pigs.

Education is devolved in the UK. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have confirmed they won’t reopen schools. On 1 June, it will be interesting to visit primary schools in England to find disciplined 3-year olds not licking their fingers, not picking their noses, and staying two meters away from one another.

Ravi