Home schooling overhaul pleas to Government
Ministers have been urged to launch a “complete step-change” in home learning to prevent inequalities worsening while schools are closed.
Boris Johnson announced that schools will remain shut for most pupils until at March 8 at the earliest, meaning youngsters are expected to be educated at home for at least another six weeks.
It has sparked concerns that many children will miss out on education due to a lack of access to laptops and internet connections.
Shadow City Minister Pat McFadden, the MP for Wolverhampton South East, said: "The news that schools won't go back until at least March 8 means there has to be a complete step change in efforts to help children learn online.
"Some have got the equipment they need but many don't have laptops or adequate wi-fi connections.
"We already have a terrible public health crisis in the country, but if we don't act on the educational front, then this is going to damage the prospects of some children for years to come.
"We've got to recognise this and step up our efforts on education."
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said reopening schools should be a "national priority", and has called for all school staff to be given the jab at half-term to allow classrooms to open as soon as possible.
Pledged
He said that in the meantime the Government had a duty to ensure that "every single child" can learn from home, but that currently a third of families did not have access to the right equipment.
"Without access to a laptop, a computer or the internet, that can't happen," he said.
Mr Johnson pledged to "work with parents, teachers and schools to develop a long-term plan to make sure that pupils have the chance to make up their learning" before 2024.
He said £300m of new money to schools would fund a catch-up programme over the coming year, with financial incentives for providers to educate pupils who have missed lessons due to the pandemic.
Kitchen classrooms are up and running
Parents all across the Black Country and Staffordshire have returned to their teaching roles again – as children get stuck into lessons in lockdown again.
Oldbury parents Dane Miller and Jay Walker have been home schooling their children Luca, 10, Leo, five, and 17-month-old Levi.
They made the decision to keep Luca in school this time – with the parents continuing to teach Leo at home.
Dane, 30, said: “It is a bit different this time round. With Luca we had to make a decision; he was getting frustrated and finding it difficult with Levi toddling around everywhere. My partner works from home but does also have to go into work some days. Luca wasn’t coping as well so he does go into school now and I mainly home-school Leo.
“It is a lot different from before, the schools didn’t have as much in place last time. They are much prepared this time it’s much better – it’s very structured.
“Luca wanted to go back to school. We thought we would give it a go. He’s really happy being there now – I think we made the right decision.
“Leo is doing really well with it, we can give him one-to-one time. He got an award last week – so it feels like we are doing something right.”
She added: “I think they have missed out on quite a lot – more the social interaction, really. Luca is going to secondary school this year and he’s not really had the chance to prepare for it. I don’t think they can put a date on reopening schools yet – the rates are still high.”
