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Education: Return in January
05 January 2022
Lead MP
Nadhim Zahawi
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Employment
Other Contributors: 23
At a Glance
Nadhim Zahawi raised concerns about education: return in january in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The statement discusses the return of all children, students, and staff to educational settings amidst adjustments due to the Omicron variant. The minister emphasises the need for former teachers to volunteer temporarily to help with staffing shortages. He outlines measures including on-site testing for schools, continued vaccination efforts, provision of CO2 monitors and air cleaning units, and mandatory face coverings in classrooms from year 7 upwards. These steps aim to reduce infection spread while ensuring educational continuity. The minister also acknowledges the challenges faced by staff and expresses commitment to reviewing these measures as soon as possible.
Houghton and Sunderland South
Question
The MP questions the availability of vaccination slots, misinformation about vaccines, access to lateral flow tests, interim findings from Bradford air purification trial, adequacy of 7,000 devices for ventilation improvement, CO2 monitoring device distribution timeline, discussions with the Chancellor on funding support, advice on face coverings necessity with higher vaccine levels and better ventilation, numbers of volunteers answering call for help, guarantees about exams continuing amidst pandemic challenges.
Jonathan Gullis
Con
Stoke-on-Trent North
Question
Asked for reassurance that there is no plan B for exams in summer; they will proceed as normal under rigorous grading of pre-pandemic levels.
Minister reply
Assured that exams will go ahead as planned with no alternative plans.
Valerie Vaz
Lab Co-op
Walsall and Bloxwich
Question
Suggested having Ofsted inspectors return to classrooms to make inspections more efficient.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the inspection break for this week due to testing requirements but noted that safeguarding inspections will continue.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Question
Asked if asymptomatic testing and subsequent mask-wearing is proportionate, requested evidence study publication.
Minister reply
Published the report today and offered to send a copy.
Meg Hillier
Lab Co-op
Hackney South and Shoreditch
Question
Inquired about funding for catch-up teachers and laptop replacements from school funds.
Minister reply
Noted the extension of the covid fund for temporary staff support.
Question
Asked if masks could be ended as soon as possible given the inconveniences, suggested data needs more work to be conclusive.
Minister reply
Confirmed that face masks would not last a day longer than necessary.
Barnsley South
Question
Referring to a local teacher's concerns about underfunding issues affecting schools in Barnsley East, the MP asks what investment the Government will put into Barnsley schools.
Minister reply
The Minister reminds the hon. Lady that at the spending review settlement, a funding settlement of £4.6 billion for schools was achieved, which school leaders welcomed.
Question
Asking the Secretary of State to confirm categorically that every step is being taken to keep schools safely open.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges a huge team effort and emphasises that children should be in school learning with their friends, classmates, and inspirational teachers. The Children’s Commissioner's survey showed that half a million children want to be back at school.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Question
Asking why only 8,000 air purifiers were announced for over 300,000 classrooms and why Dyson brand was chosen.
Minister reply
The Minister explains that based on CO2 monitor data from schools, there are probably a few classrooms that cannot mitigate easily and will need air purifiers. The decision to order 8,000 is due to this analysis.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Question
Asking about the evidence on mask effectiveness and what guidance is being issued regarding the type of masks children should wear.
Minister reply
The Minister states that masks are one mitigation among others, with vaccines being the most important. Observational studies from 123 schools have shown some benefits to mask-wearing.
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
Nottingham South
Question
Concerning how university students will be guaranteed access to tests before returning to campus, especially in Nottingham.
Minister reply
The Minister highlights the city's contribution to vaccine uptake and test production. He mentions that lateral flow devices have been trebled from 300,000 a day to 900,000.
Question
Questioning the classroom mask mandate and asking for an exit strategy.
Minister reply
The Minister explains that it is guidance rather than a mandate. He asserts that while working from home is possible, children should be in school learning, which is best for their education and mental health.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
Concerning how the Secretary of State will ensure fair assessment opportunities for all students given different infection levels across the country.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges the challenges and mentions returning to examination, sharing advance information with teachers through Ofqual, and recognising disruption due to the pandemic.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Question
It is vital that schools remain open and I warmly welcome my right hon. Friend’s clear determination to keep them open. However, the mask mandate will cause harm to all children in terms of concentration, their educational development and social interactions. A teacher has written to me saying three of his pupils who are partially deaf rely on lip-reading and their experience over the next few weeks will be awful as they are denied normal interactions. What can my right hon. Friend say to those children to ensure that they will not be left behind?
Minister reply
Teachers are not required to wear masks when standing at the front of a classroom, so students who depend on lip-reading can still learn effectively. The mask mandate is guidance and teachers have discretion over how it applies to individual cases.
Ellie Reeves
Lab
Lewisham West and East Dulwich
Question
The Government’s failure to address ventilation in schools, offering only 7,000 air-cleaning units when there are well over 20,000 schools and 300,000 classrooms, is another example of treating children's education as an afterthought. Schools have been asking children as young as four to come to school in extra layers so that the windows can be kept open in winter.
Minister reply
The Government has sent out CO2 monitors to 350,000 schools and will start distributing air purifiers based on the feedback from local directors. The government is responsibly spending taxpayers' money while supporting schools to remain open.
Question
My constituents believe that it is of paramount importance to keep schools going, no matter the circumstances. I welcome my right hon. Friend’s statement and its clarity, which contrasts with the Opposition's confusion.
Minister reply
I hope the shadow Front-Bench team will reconsider their position.
Question
Local directors of public health have been important in fighting covid. The Member for York Central raised with the Prime Minister the issue of real-time information getting to local directors of public health. Can you give an assurance that the information from school testing will be given timely to local directors?
Minister reply
I had a meeting with over 200 local directors of public health, thanked them for their work and heard what they need from schools. Local directors play a vital role in communication efforts.
Question
Congratulate the Secretary of State on his work to keep children in classrooms learning. So many have fallen behind over the past two years. Will he say more about implementing plans for catch-up?
Minister reply
The Government has secured further funding of £4.9 billion for catch-up programmes, including additional tutoring sessions and 40 hours of education for 16 to 19-year-olds.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Thank the right hon. Gentleman for his positive statement. What discussions have been held with devolved Administrations on ensuring children, particularly those with exams coming up, are taught at school? Will additional funding be available?
Minister reply
The SR has provided a good outcome in education funding and £5 billion is being used for catch-up programmes.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Question
Grateful for the Secretary of State’s answer about the £4.9 billion for catch-up. Going forward, extending school days could ensure pupils are taught to their best ability.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State has said that schools should move towards an average day length of 6.5 hours and is looking at ways to deliver additional work, not just academic.
Question
Happy new year. Keeping pupils in school is crucial for attainment and learning, but mental health has been considered a priority in keeping schools open.
Minister reply
Half a million children responded to the Children’s Commissioner's Big Ask survey and cited the impact on their mental health from schools not being open.
Ben Bradley
Con
Mansfield
Question
Welcomes the Secretary of State’s commitment to keeping schools open, acknowledges staffing challenges due to lower health risk to children and emerging evidence about omicron variant. Asks if the scheme promoting people returning to classrooms is still open, and how constituents can sign up. Also inquires about support or advice for shortages of cleaners and other important roles in schools.
Minister reply
Responds positively to MP's questions, confirms that a dedicated site exists where individuals can register, inquire and be directed to local agencies to sign up. Acknowledges the importance of support staff and is monitoring their absenteeism due to omicron variant.
Shadow Comment
Bridget Phillipson
Shadow Comment
The shadow criticises the Government's delayed actions regarding ventilation, vaccination, and testing for children. She highlights missed opportunities during the Christmas break and questions the adequacy of recent measures such as air purifiers in schools. The Labour response emphasises the need for a comprehensive recovery plan to address learning loss and other pandemic-related impacts on education.
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