TEACHERS have called on the government to put an end to unhelpful media speculation over the reopening of schools before the summer holidays. 

In a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson today, National Education Union (NEU) joint general secretaries Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney said that members have been disturbed by the reports.

The pair warned that the move could put teachers and children at risk, as well as risk undermining the public’s commitment to social-isolation rules.

Media reports at the weekend suggested that children could go back to school as early as June rather than having to wait for the new school year in September. 

It follows a recent study by University College London researchers that concluded that evidence supporting the closure of schools to tackle the virus was “very weak.” 

But the NEU expressed concerns that proposals to reopen schools are being “stimulated by unnamed government ministers.”

Ms Bousted and Mr Courtney urged Mr Johnson to consider the increased number of cases and mortalities among children, parents and teachers if such plans went ahead. 

They also called on the government to release its evidence, modelling and plans for schools in the pandemic — including for enhanced cleaning measures and provision of personal protective wear.

“Given that, in reopening schools and colleges, you would be asking our members to take an increased risk, we believe they have a right to understand fully how any such proposal belongs within an overall government strategy to defeat the virus,” they said. 

A government spokesman said: “We will only reopen schools when the scientific advice indicates it is safe to do so and will work closely with the sector to agree our approach.”