by Matt Trinder

Industrial Reporter

THE government was right to close schools but acted too late, education union leaders said today.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday night that primary and secondary schools and colleges would shut their doors to all but the most vulnerable students and the children of keyworkers at least until the February half-term break.

Unions had called for the government to take this step in the face of surging Covid-19 infection rates before many children returned to classrooms after Christmas.

National Education Union joint general secretary Mary Bousted said: “This is a crisis point for the nation and a great deal of what got us here should not simply be blamed on new strains of the virus.

“The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) told ministers on December 22 that even a lockdown of the same severity as last spring would not be enough [to reduce infection]. It is incomprehensible that the Prime Minister [on Monday] continued to declare that schools were safe.

Teachers union NASUWT general secretary Patrick Roach said:“We have seen a bad situation getting worse by the day.

“We have seen too much disruption to children’s education, but without tougher measures, that disruption was only set to continue.”

GCSE and A-level exams are now likely to be cancelled this summer as they were last year, with Education Secretary Gavin Williamson due to announce alternative arrangements tomorrow.

Dr Bousted said: “The government has had eight months to prepare for a renewed period of remote learning, but it has not used that time wisely or well.

“Gavin Williamson has become an expert in putting his head in the sand.

“Under the first national lockdown, schools became a political football. This time, things have to be different.

“Government must provide laptops and internet access for all pupils so that they are able to access remote learning at home. 

Dr Roach said: “It is essential that the government works with the profession on these plans and does not repeat the mistakes of last summer.”

Former Ofsted head Sir Michael Wilshaw said that Mr Williamson has “got a lot wrong” in his department’s response to the pandemic.

He told BBC Radio 4 that head teachers in England lack confidence in the leadership they are receiving from the Department for Education.

When asked whether Mr Williamson should resign, Sir Michael said: “He has got to take final accountability for what has gone on.”