Row continues over return to classroom across Falkirk district

Councillor Robert Bissett, leader of the Labour Group, hit out at the government for refusing to allow the council to announce a two-week long ‘soft start’ for schools in the local area.

Mr Bissett said: “Its decision to impose a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution to getting schools operating as normal after this terrible Covid-19 crisis has caused huge confusion for working parents trying to deal with childcare and a host of already difficult schooling arrangements.

“The unwillingness of this SNP government to even give SNP-led councils like Falkirk the chance to make its own decisions, obviously taking into account scientific criteria, tells you all you need to know.

“It would have been of real benefit if parents had been given some guidance on how it was hoped to advance a return to education, and early learning even if that had to be delayed by future events.

“However,  an immediate halt was put on things with the announcement that John Swinney wanted to make the announcement on how schools would reopen.”

Mr Bissett said the SNP government’s PR agenda was taking precedence over people.

He added: “How can you trust a government that clearly doesn’t trust the people of this country and, indeed, doesn’t trust its own elected members to make the right choices?”

Mr Bissett said he had the utmost respect and praise for everyone involved in getting our kids back to school.

But he added: “The dithering and procrastination shows how ineffective the Scottish Government is and why our education system is not what it used to be.”

Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, SNP leader of Falkirk Council, responded to his comments, saying: “Local government is working hard in partnership with the Scottish Government and trades unions through the Education Recovery Group to ensure full-time schooling can be re-started as soon as it is safe to do so.

“These are very challenging times and a great deal of effort is being put in to make this all happen.

“It is obvious the local Labour Party is contributing nothing to that process other than to be negative.

“The SNP at local and national level will just get on with delivering for the people of Falkirk.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We know this has been a challenging time for parents.

“Our plan for pupils to return full-time remains dependent on it being safe to do so and the continuing collective efforts to suppress coronavirus.

“That means taking account of the most up to date scientific evidence and making sure public health measures and testing systems are in place.

“Through the Education Recovery Group we continue to work closely with councils, parent bodies, teachers’ representatives and trades unions to ensure that plans are developed collaboratively for a safe and smooth transition back to school.

“The Deputy First Minister will update Parliament today (Thursday) and the Group will provide advice that enables a decision on whether it is safe for pupils to return to schools full-time no later than July 
30.

“We are grateful to councils and teachers for their hard work on a blended learning model and that remains a necessary contingency plan should the virus get out of control again at any point.”

Falkirk Council has confirmed that there will be a soft-start – the only question is whether it will be one or two weeks.

Schools will communicate any changes directly to parents following announcement of the national requirements on July 30.

The latest information can be found on Falkirk Council’s website www.falkirk.gov.uk/covid19/school-return.aspx.

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