Brent NEU responds to Government's 'irresponsible' road map for full re-opening of schools

Following this afternoon's announcement of a return of all pupils and students to schools and colleges on March 8th, Jenny Cooper, joint secretary of Brent National Education Union said:

With  cases still high in Brent and sadly many deaths in our community, the Prime Minister's road map beginning with full reopening of schools on March 8th is irresponsible at best.

The Prime Minister stated that 'the threat remains substantial'.  On that basis the NEU will now be advising its members on how best to push back for a careful, sensible and phased return of pupils rather than the proposed return of 10 million at once.

Should Cllr Butt follow Haringey leader on school re-openings?

As a press campaign, led by the Daily Mail, builds against teacher unions it is time that we saw some leadership in Brent.

Brent has many similarities with Haringey and in particular faces the disproportionate impact on BAME communities of the coronavirus.

Headteachers, school staff and parents are naturally anxious so it is important that they hear from the leader of the Council, Muhammed Butt;  the lead member for Schools Employment & Skills, Amer Agha; and Mili Patel, lead member for Children's Safeguarding, Early Help and Social Care.

Schools are grappling with demands from the government that could go very wrong and cause unnecessary illness or death - they deserve more than silence.