Call for ministers to close schools for further fortnight generates heavy debate
Calls for ministers to close schools across the country to pupils for a further fortnight has generated heavy debate on social media - with many saying Tier 4 restrictions should mean the closure of schools.
It comes after Education Secretary Gavin Williamson confirmed yesterday that all London primary schools will remain shut next week.
The discussion has created tension on social media, with mixed feelings from parents, teachers and local leaders.
Michelle Whittingham, from Tipton, said: "Schools should stay closed in Tier 4. Covid-19 is rife in schools, there are more cases than those being reported."
Kim Lennox, from Walsall, added: "Should close all schools to reduce the spread and give millions of people the protection of the vaccine to work first."
Dawn Springthorpe, from Wolverhampton, added: "I agree schools should shut until the end of January especially with this new strain that spreads more quickly. Lets hope Boris does the right thing before Monday."
Councillor Rupinderjit Kaur, Wolverhampton councillor for Spring Vale ward, has also echoed the call for schools to stay shut.
Many people are calling for a national full lockdown like that of March 2020, with concerns growing about how fast the new variant of the virus is spreading.
Mitchell Tooth, from Wolverhampton, said: "I think they should stay shut. Me and my family have tested positive for Covid-19 and we haven't really been out over Christmas only to Asda and Iceland.
"It just shows how easy the new strain is to catch."
Shirley Matthews, from Willenhall, added: "Everything should be closed except food shops.
"We should be in a total lockdown.
"Tiers are not working, people just go to the next lowest tier for things, spreading the virus."
Patricia Hodgetts, from Pelsall, said: "Yes it should be a complete lockdown like in March. I think all of January and if it is under control then forfeit February half term.
"It isn't just the children, teachers and school staff are in the firing line."
Meanwhile, Sharon Coley said on Facebook: "There is no point in closing schools as these same children will then just be out socialising, playing or watching TV and not learning.
"It's not hard to be organised. Stagger starting and finishing time so no mass of children roaming.
Transmission
"Keep children in an allocated class room and if needed rotate the teacher. Fit shared desks with sneeze guards. Have designated outside areas to correspond with designated class room and supervise these children when they are outside.
"Parents, take your children regardless of age to school and back from school.
"Let teachers wear masks at all times.
"Parents, when your children come home from school, keep them home.
"It's not rocket science."
Another Facebook commenter, Julie Witton, added: "Keep them open, factory workers are still working and many others. Shut it all except essential workers or not bother."
Meanwhile, Dr Michael Hardacre, Wolverhampton Council's cabinet member for education and skills, has criticised the government's 'woeful' handling of the planned return of schools next week and said he applauds teachers' efforts in this difficult time.
He said: "It would help schools if the government was not chopping and changing advice to them at such short notice.
"The transmission of information about how things were going to be done has been woeful.
"Teachers and head teachers have my complete sympathy in the situation.
"They have coped incredibly well up to Christmas and I know that the measures they have put in place since September have meant that education can continue.
"I applaud them for all of their hard work."
