The First Minister has confirmed today that Scotland's high school pupils will be allowed to make a full-time return to education after the Easter break.
Secondary students have so far only been able to spend a limited amount of time in the classroom after the Scottish Government closed schools to most pupils for a second time at the start of this year, as part of efforts to halt increasing numbers of coronavirus cases.
But today the First Minister said that all secondary pupils, with the exception of those on the shielding list, will be allowed to return as normal after two weeks off schools for the half-term holiday.
In most local authority areas the Easter holidays are not due to end until April 19, though in a few council areas children are due to go back earlier on April 12.
Speaking live from Holyrood today, Nicola Sturgeon said: "I can confirm that...virtually all pupils will return full time to school full time. Secondary schools after Easter will go back to in-person full-time learning.
"The one exception to this is children who are on the shielding list, we are continuing to recommend they stay at home until 26 April and that's in line with advice already received from the Chief Medical Officer.
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"All other pupils though will return to school once the term starts."
The First Minister also confirmed that the strict two-metre distancing rule of pupils will be removed, with the Scottish Government working with schools to strengthen how they can ensure the safety of children, with methods such as increased ventilation.
In addition, pupils will have access to twice-weekly lateral flow testing for all pupils and staff.
