The executive headteacher of five Birmingham academies has said that pupils should be sent back to school as quickly as possible, but that they should wear PPE during classes and breaks. Saiqa Liaqat said that face masks should be considered the ‘new norm’ in schools.
Based at the Arena Academy in Great Barr, Ms Liaqat oversees the management of five CORE academies in the city centre, the Jewellery Quarter, Alum Rock, Ladywood, and Great Barr itself. Speaking about the possibility of re-opening schools, Ms Liaqat said, “Our children are missing out, but our first priority is safety.”
According to PM Boris Johnson, Britain has passed the peak of coronavirus, and that means businesses are already looking ahead at how to re-open. Parents are equally concerned about the potential roadmap to re-opening schools in the UK.
Ms Liaqat stressed that the main priority is child safety, saying, “When the right time will be is a good question, it’s like choosing lottery numbers, but before the summer break? I’d hope so.” According to figures released by UNESCO, as many as 90% of schools, colleges, and universities have been closed worldwide during the pandemic, with those closures happening in 186 countries and territories. However, some countries have already started re-opening their schools, with Denmark and Japan among the first to declare that education can continue full-time.
That has meant a wide range of safety measures in place before school doors are open again. Safety measures such as ensuring that windows are kept open at all times for ventilation, to keeping pupil’s desks spaced six feet apart, are all being trialled.
The Birmingham headteacher was quick to stress that schools should not be opened until the coronavirus figures have gone down and that they should all be following government and scientific advice. Ms Liaqat went on to say that “We should look at adapting uniforms too.” With the opinion that everyone should be wearing face masks and gloves, she believes that this should happen in the particularly early stages of opening, in order to build confidence.
She understands that families will be nervous about their children coming back. The fear of their personal safety is why Ms Liaqat is so keen to seek help from the government in the form of PPE so that everyone is protected.
In China, students returning to their schools are required to have a temperature check, and every citizen is expected to be using the smartphone healthcare program that gives a green indication if the person is all-clear. This is an additional option that the UK government may be considering as the NHS Corona-tracing app goes live for trial on the Isle of Wight.
European countries Denmark and Norway have already re-opened schools for younger children, with arrival times staggered to help prevent oversaturation at the school gates. However, both of these countries have seen a dramatic drop in infection rates, and Denmark had closed schools five days before the country reported any cases of the virus.
“A staggered approach seems sensible,” said Ms Liaqat. To help secure confidence all around, Ms Liaqat also believes this should happen in a phased approach, with one or two year groups at first, and instead of coming in for six hours, the day should be split to allow for social distancing from other classrooms.
