Pupils could go back to school for only two days a week under plans being considered by education chiefs.
Some children would be in class on a Monday and Tuesday, with others being educated on a Thursday and Friday.
Wednesdays would be used for a deep clean of the school estate and teacher preparation.
Scotland’s schools have been closed for two months as part of the Government strategy to suppress covid-19.
Hundreds of thousands of parents are having to combine home working with ensuring their children are receiving an education.
As revealed by the Daily Record, schools are set to go back on August 11th as a key part of the plan to ease lockdown.
Pupils will receive a ‘blend’ of classroom and home education.
Smaller class sizes will also be required to meet the needs of physical distancing.
It is understood Glasgow City Council, the country’s largest local authority, is working on a range of options for restructuring the school day and maximising the teaching time for children.
In primary schools, a starting point could be separating children into two groups – A and B - with ‘A’ being brought in for the first two days of the week and ‘B’ pupils in the last two days of the week.
Another model focuses on shorter days, which would allow children to come in on Wednesdays and deep clean to take place over lunchtime.
A senior education source said the ideas were also being considered by other local authorities.
Under the ‘routemap’ plan published by the Scottish Government last week, teachers could return to the classroom next month to help prepare blended learning.
Childcare facilities may also be reopened, with places prioritised for key groups.
Meanwhile, a survey of teachers has found that clarity over how the next academic year will work is the most important factor when reopening schools.
The EIS teaching union conducted a survey of more than 26,000 of its members, to gauge their views on coronavirus.
When asked what needs to be done to instil confidence in the next academic year, 93% of respondents said more clarity is needed over how teaching will be delivered to pupils.
According to the results of the survey, 76.8% of teachers also said there would need to be adequate time given to ensure the part-time, blended model of teaching could be created.
Nearly two thirds of the teachers surveyed reported that low pupil participation was a barrier to delivering home learning.
A council spokeswoman said: “No plans for the return to the school day have been confirmed as we are still in discussions with headteachers and the unions. A number of models and plans are being looked at and we are speaking to staff, parents and pupils to help shape what the new school day might look like and in line with Scottish Government timescales and guidance.”
A spokesperson for the EIS said: “The 50/50 model being proposed can only work where all Health & Safety measures can be met but does provide a basis for starting to plan for the new session. The EIS local association is in discussions with Glasgow Council around ensuring all measures are met ahead of schools reopening to pupils. We are clear that not all schools will operate this model in the city as not all will have capacity to do so.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said:
“The Education Recovery Group, chaired by the Deputy First Minister, continues to work with local authorities, parents, teachers’ organisations and trades unions on how we manage the safe re-opening of schools
“A new model of teaching, learning and support will have to be delivered. Local authorities will have the flexibility to plan and deliver a return to education which suits local circumstances and takes the needs of all of the children, young people and parents in their area into account."
.png?w=600)
