A Lanarkshire teaching union has questioned why schools remained open until yesterday, despite the switch to distanced learning which will begin after the Christmas break.
The First Minister announced on Saturday that schools will only re-open for children of key workers on January 5, with lessons not resuming until January 11 for most pupils.
Those classes will be held online until at least the following week, as part of a range of measures designed to stop the coronavirus spreading again.
The move has been welcomed by staff and parents who have contacted the Reformer.
But Andy Harvey, the secretary of the Lanarkshire branch of the Educational Institute of Scotland, feels schools should have closed with the First Minister’s announcement, rather than continuing with lessons this week.
He said: “We welcome the decision to delay the return of pupils after the festive break, and that for the vast majority of pupils this will be a return to an online learning platform.
“We have called for a move to remote learning either side of the holidays as a circuit-breaker, so it would have made sense for all schools to have moved immediately to remote platforms.
“The lateness of the decision will present some planning challenges for teachers, and adequate time will be required to make the switch to remote learning.”
The news of the switch to distanced learning has been supported by local parent councils.
Fiona Adamson, of Burnside Primary’s parent council, said: “I think in everyone’s heart of hearts that we know it’s the right decision.
“Burnside has been very good so far, but I would have been concerned about what happened when the schools come back if the virus is spreading again.
“It’s impossible to adhere to the rules with children. I think we’re prepared more this time than in March, so there should be an infrastructure there to help.”
Ross Parker, of the parent council at West Coats in Cambuslang, also backed the move.
He said: “I feel it makes sense for the break to be extended.
“West Coats has been robust in the actions they have taken to prevent the spread of Covid and I do feel that our children are safe when at school.
“But, I think that if extending this break prevents any other unplanned breaks in the school year then it will be well worth it.
“Obviously this will also provide its own challenges to working families regards childcare, but this is something we have had to struggle with for most of the year.”
Education Secretary John Swinney defended the government’s decision to have schools remain open this week.
He said: “Today Scotland has, comparatively speaking, very low levels of coronavirus compared to other parts of the UK – 115 cases per 100,000 in Scotland, 625 per 100,000 in Wales, 467 per 100,000 in London.
“Our schools are safe. So children and young people who should be going to school for some days this week, should go to school.”
Mr Swinney added that he hopes to stick to January 18 for a return to face to face learning.
