Action Group Opposes Move to Re-open Schools

A LOCAL group has called for the postponement of the proposed limited re-opening of schools. The Harlow Coronavirus People Before Profit Action Group believes that the return of pupils should not take place until the number of cases of COVID-19 is much lower, with a sustained downward trend, and extensive arrangements for testing and contact tracing are in place.

The Action Group agrees with the National Education Union (NEU) that the Government must put in place a plan for social distancing and appropriate protective equipment in schools. It also calls for comprehensive access to regular testing for pupils and staff, and for procedures to be in place to ensure that those who test positive are isolated.

The Group endorses the NEU’s demand that vulnerable staff, and staff who live with vulnerable people, must be allowed to work from home, fulfilling their professional duties to the extent that is possible, and that plans must specifically address the protection of vulnerable parents, grandparents, and carers.

“Staff, parents, and pupils must have confidence that our schools are not going to become breeding grounds for this horrible disease,” said John Wake, speaking on behalf of Harlow Coronavirus People Before Profit Action Group. “We have already seen our care homes become death traps for vulnerable members of our communities, because the government neglected to put in place procedures to test, isolate, and protect staff and residents,” he added. “More than eight thousand residents of care homes became infected and died. We do not want our education system to endure a similar tragedy before the government sees sense with regard to schools.”

The National Education Union has drawn up a list of five tests that it believes the Government should pass before moving to further opening of schools. Harlow Coronavirus People Before Profit Action Group will be writing to local MP Robert Halfon, who is Chair of the House of Commons Education Select Committee, to ask him to support these tests.

The NEU’s five tests can be seen at: https://neu.org.uk/neu-five-tests-government-schools-can-re-open .

Information on the Harlow Coronavirus People Before Profit Action Group can be found at:
https://www.facebook.com/HarlowCoronavirusPeopleBeforeProfitActionGroup