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Majority of education staff anxious about returning to work, Unison survey finds

THE vast majority of education staff in Scotland are anxious about returning to work, according to a Unison survey. 

The union’s poll of more than 5,000 education staff in Scotland found that 83 per cent are worried about going back to work or increasing the number of children returning to classrooms.

Just 3 per cent of respondents to the survey, carried out between Monday May 18 and Friday May 22, consider it safe to return to work.

It also showed that 13 per cent are losing sleep worrying about the issue.

Lorraine Thomson, chairwoman of Unison’s Scotland education issues group, said: “We need clarity about infection control and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). 

“A lot more work needs to be done to ensure safe return. The Scottish government and [local authorities body] Cosla must work with Unison to develop guidance, implement new rules and undertake risk assessments.

“We cannot send more children back to school until we all know it is safe for them and all staff.”

Other polls suggest that only 10 per cent have had training on Covid-19 health and safety measures including infection control, correct use of PPE or carrying out a virus-related risk assessment.

Nearly half did not feel they had enough PPE, while 42 per cent did not know what they should have.

A government spokeswoman said: “In reopening Scotland’s schools, our overriding priority is ensuring the health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff and giving parents the confidence schools are safe.

“We will implement physical distancing, staggered arrival and departure times, staggered break times, increased hand hygiene, enhanced cleaning regimes and a range of other measures, including PPE and training for staff.”

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