SCHOOLS will open at the “earliest opportunity” and parents will get two weeks’ notice when they do, Gavin Williamson promised today.
The Education Secretary said he “hopes” kids can get back in the classroom by Easter – but couldn’t make a guarantee.
He said any decision would be made on the scientific advice.
The Government has intended to review the national lockdown around February 15 – but it’s likely that schools will be closed after that.
If the Government are to open schools after the half-term break as they promised, an announcement could come next week – but ministers are not confident that will be the case.
Speaking this morning, Mr Williamson said: “Schools will be the first to open.
“As soon as the scientific advice is there… to open at the earliest possible stage.
“I would certainly hope that would be before Easter.”
He added: “We want to give all schools and teachers the opportunity to prepare and bring everyone back.
“We want to give them two weeks to get ready.”
Mr Williamson said one of the “key criteria” for reopening schools would be whether the pressure on the NHS was lifting.
He brushed off calls by the opposition to resign following a series of policy U-turns.
“My real focus is making sure that children get back into school at the earliest possible opportunity,” he told Sky News.
“Schools were the last to close and schools will very much be the first to reopen.”
HOAR revealed earlier this week schools are likely to stay shut until at least Easter due to high case numbers and death rates.
It came as:
- Mr Williamson said the lockdown WAS having some effect on reducing pressures on the health service and bringing down cases
- Britain suffered its worst ever death figures yesterday- with more than 1,600 deaths from Covid recorded
- It was revealed that Brits are ‘jumping Covid vaccine queue’ to nab appointments meant for NHS staff shared on WhatsApp
