Wales TUC welcomes clarity on schools reopening

In response to the Education Minister’s announcement on schools reopening in September, Wales TUC General Secretary Shavanah Taj said:

“We welcome the clarity that the Education Minister has provided today. Our schools workforce have been working tirelessly so that children could return to the classroom safely this term for ‘keeping in touch’ days. This announcement will mean that they can finish the term with some certainty about the new school year.

“As trades unions, we have had to work carefully to ensure that the health and safety of learners and staff is protected, that learners and staff wellbeing is considered, and that children and young people’s education could continue in such different circumstances. We would like to highlight the roles that the workforce has played in both keeping hub schools open during the pandemic, and the work that they have done to keep educating and supporting children and young people at home.

“None of us know what the public health situation will be in September, but we will continue to prioritise the health and safety of pupils and the workforce. The newly established National Health And Safety Forum will be a key mechanism for overseeing this, coordinating messages and enforcement activity and ensuring that measures are informed by the latest understanding of the virus as well as the reality of what is happening on the ground.”