The Government must produce a radical plan for as many as nine million pupils facing up to six months locked out of school thanks to coronavirus.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson dismissed the fears of teachers and parents about an early return and now looks foolish after rethinking his position.
He’s axed plans for primary kids in England to be back by summer and is effectively conceding defeat in the secondary section.
The Daily Mirror’s consistently pressed for classes to resume, but only when safe.
Children who spread colds to their families could do the same with the virus.
We need a timetable to enable pupils missing out to catch up. It might include summer lessons, personalised tuition and extra classes from autumn on.
What is certain is education can no longer be run on a shoestring. Our children deserve the best. Let’s give it to them.
Who to honour
The toppling of slave trader Edward Colston’s statue in Bristol has started a much-needed debate on who should be honoured in our towns and cities.
However figures should be removed by local consent rather than by a crowd doing it themselves. But this discussion is long overdue.
Just because a statue was erected in the past doesn’t mean it must stay forever.
So let’s start a national conversation about who stands on plinths in public places, including who should replace the removed.
Why not some working class heroes? Bristol could honour local Paul Stephenson who led a successful bus boycott in the 60s to overturn a ban on black drivers and conductors.
Duke & thrive
Happy Birthday to the Duke of Edinburgh who is 99 tomorrow, a landmark age for any man to celebrate.
Prince Philip’s ruffled feathers over the years but his longevity is a good advert for speaking your mind.
