Every day is a wash day in new normal for schools
THEY would normally be busy at this time of year preparing lessons for the return of the pupils.
But Scots teachers are instead readying their classrooms for the imminent return of students after months of lockdown.
When the school bell signals the start back this week, it will be a vastly different workplace for many.
Sanitizing sprays, increased cleaning regimes and other safety measures will all form part of the day-to-day routine.
Staff at St Mungo’s Primary School in Glasgow, pictured, are already adapting to the ‘new normal’ – wiping down the desks, ensuring there is space for social distancing and putting up flyers to remind the children of the dangers of Covid-19.
However, the changes to classroom routine come amid a grim warning from the NASUWT teaching union.
In a survey of nearly 800 members, the union found 45 per cent of teachers said they do not think it will be safe for pupils to return, with a further 42 per cent ‘uncertain’.
The majority ( 7 per cent) do not feel prepared to go back to their school or college and an even greater number (87 per cent) feel anxious about returning when buildings are reopened to all pupils. More than 70 per cent said they had not been given assurances by their schools that PPE would be provided.
Jane Peckham, NASUWT national official for Scotland, said: ‘The fact that almost half of teachers have told us they don’t feel their
school will be a safe environment for pupils to return to should be a major cause for concern.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘The guidance on preparing for the start of the new school term sets out the approach that must be taken, including a number of health mitigations.
‘They include risk assessments, enhanced hygiene measures and Test and Protect. In addition, a surveillance programme is being developed for schools, where regular testing and survey data will identify symptoms and infections.’
Schools were given the green light to reopen from August 11 by Nicola Sturgeon at the end of July. The First Minister said there was a ‘moral and educational imperative that we get children back to school as soon as is safely possible’.
Some councils can opt for a ‘phased return’ over the first few days of the new term.