In a message to parents, the United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it is “vitally important” for children to go back to school, with the life chances of a generation is at stake, amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The PM said the risk of catching coronavirus in schools was “very small,” as schools in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are getting ready to reopen.
Schools in Scotland have already reopened, while some pupils in Northern Ireland are expected to return to school today. Schools in England and Wales are expected to reopen in September.
Johnson said, “It is far more damaging for a child’s development and their health… to be away from school any longer.”
A panel of four chief medical officers has signed a joint statement with deputy chief medical officers to reassure parents that schools could mitigate risks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Sunday evening, Johnson thanked school staff for spending the summer “making classrooms COVID-secure.”
He said, “I have previously spoken about the moral duty to reopen schools to all pupils safely. We have always been guided by our scientific and medical experts, and we now know far more about coronavirus than we did earlier this year.”
Referring to the comments made by chief medical officer Prof. Chris Whitty, Johnson said, “The risk of contracting COVID-19 in school is very small and it is far more damaging for a child’s development and their health and wellbeing to be away from school any longer.”
“This is why it’s vitally important that we get our children back into the classroom to learn and to be with their friends,” he continued. “Nothing will have a greater effect on the life chances of our children than returning to school.”
On Sunday, Prof. Whitty said children were more likely to be harmed if they do not return to school next month, citing evidence of children “much less commonly” needing hospital treatment or becoming severely ill with COVID-19 than adults.
Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson wrote in the Sunday Times that he wanted to reassure all parents and pupil schools were “ready for them,” the autumn return to schools was “more important than ever.”
Liberal Democrat Layla Moran said the country and “seemingly the PM” had “lost faith” in Mr. Williamson. She said, “To restore confidence among parents, pupils and teachers the best thing the prime minister could do is sack him, rather than speak for him.”
