Local Government Association calls on Welsh Government for ‘clear roadmap’ to bring more pupils back to school

Council’s across Wales are urging Welsh Government for a clear roadmap to bring more pupils back to school when it is safe to do so.

Welsh Government had indicated a preference for an all-Wales approach on the return for those aged between three and seven to school, with some local flexibility if required, starting from the 22nd of February.

Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) is now seeking a clear idea of how other cohorts could return to school to safely resume face to face learning.

Despite having the second highest rate of infection in Wales,  Flintshire Council confirmed last week there are no plans to follow counterparts in Wrexham and delay the reopening of primary school.

The local authority has said it will be following the Welsh government’s preferred return date for primary school pupils aged three to seven.

As it stands face-to-face learning in schools has been suspended by Welsh Government, apart for the children of critical workers and vulnerable learners subject to certain criteria.

Leader of Flintshire County Council Cllr Ian Roberts, WLGA Spokesperson for Education said:

“Welsh Government and local government have worked in close partnership together to prioritise education throughout the crisis.”

“We know how concerning this last year has been for all learners, especially those year groups whose usual assessments and examinations have been disrupted by the crisis and are looking forward to catch up with their education.”

“We welcome the fact that returning children to schools rightly remains Welsh Government’s top priority as it is essential for our children’s education and development in their formative years.”

“Last week’s announcement will have provided welcome clarity for learners, their families, and school staff.”

“It’s now important that we work together to have a clear plan of how other age groups and cohorts can safely be returned to school to resume face-to-face learning, when the rate of infection provides enough headroom to safely do so and on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer.”

“Having such a plan would help to give local authorities and schools plenty of time to prepare, and would help to reassure staff, learners and their families of the way ahead.”

Speaking at today’s Welsh Government briefing, Minister for Mental Health and the Welsh Language Eluned Morgan said: “We of course are very anxious to get our children back to school

“We will be giving far more detail on what we’re hoping to do next on Friday when we come up with that 21 day review.”

“I hope that the First Minister will be able to give a bit more clarity, of course to teachers, to the WLGA and to parents in terms of what we’re hoping to do in terms of a route map to reopening schools in a more balanced way to make sure that we keep them safe, but that we really try and encourage those children back to school.”