In-person teaching will continue in Newport schools until end of term, Newport City Council has confirmed.
In a statement on Tuesday, December 8, the council confirmed that it had held discussions with headteachers, concluding that maximising the amount of classroom teaching after a "disruptive year" was vitally important.
The news comes following a national agreement reached by local authorities and the Welsh Government, whereby schools will remain open unless there are high local coronavirus cases.
Teachers' unions had previously called for schools to shut a week early on Friday, December 11 and revert to remote teaching to avoid spreading the virus over Christmas.
Despite the national agreement, some local authority areas have already announced that their schools will be closing early.
Last week, Blaenau Gwent council announced that schools in the area will close on Wednesday, December 9.
Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf have also announced that their schools will close two days early, on Wednesday, December 16, to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
On Monday, WalesOnline reported that four different schools in Newport confirmed positive coronavirus cases on the same day, with students from 10 different year groups in total being instructed to self-isolate.
First Covid-19 vaccinations take place in Wales:
In a statement, Newport council said: "In line with the approach agreed between Welsh Government and the Welsh Local Government Association, in-person teaching and learning is planned to continue at Newport schools until the end of the term.
"Discussions have been held with head teachers and it is recognised that maximising the amount of classroom teaching after such a disruptive year, is vitally important.
"All schools have robust Covid-secure policies and practices in place, and while it is inevitable there will be cases and schools affected, for which the blended learning offer has been developed to mitigate those absences, the council wishes to maximise opportunities for face-to-face teaching.
"We also recognise the pressures that have been placed on parents and carers having to juggle work and other commitments with supporting children who have had to remain at home.
"We will continue to monitor the progression of this pandemic and the guidance of Welsh Government to ensure all our students get the best possible education while staying safe and healthy."
