Within one hour of Boris Johnson's tv announcement of a roadmap for wider school re-opening, 49,000 members of the National Education Union, or NEU, responded to a survey, giving a resounding 'No' to the plan.
85% of respondents said they disagreed with Boris Johnson's plans to restart lessons for reception, year 1 and year 6 from 1st June.
92% said they would not feel safe with the proposed wider opening of schools.
Of those with school age children, 89% said they felt it would be unsafe or very unsafe to send their children back to school.
Of those respondents working from home because they have a pre-existing medical condition or are pregnant, 96% said they felt unsafe or very unsafe returning to work. And 96% of those with a family member living with them who has a pre-existing medical condition or are pregnant thought it would be unsafe or very unsafe for them to return.
92% said the Government must meet the NEU's five tests before schools can re-open.
"The Government must work with the unions to establish a position which gains the confidence of staff in schools" says Dr Mary Bousted, NEU Joint General Secretary, "Tonight's announcement – so out of step with Scotland and Wales and with its confusion about social distancing – has resulted in 92% of NEU members saying they currently feel a wider opening of schools would be unsafe
"The Prime Minister describes this as a 'first sketch' of a roadmap but our members think this sketch must urgently be re-drawn" she adds "The incoherence in this plan has generated genuine fear. For school leaders, the lack of clarity about what is expected before, or on 1st June, is simply unacceptable."
Earlier she said that the plan was "nothing short of reckless", quoting a study by the University of East Anglia suggesting that school closures are the single most effective way of suppressing the spread of the virus.
"If schools are to re-open, we need the Government to meet the five tests we have set to keep children, their families and our staff safe" she concluded.
Kevin Courtney, the other NEU Joint General Secretary, joined in the wider condemnation of Johnson with his tweet...
'You can't see your friends.
You must go to work.
You can't use public transport.
You must go to work.
Your boss will keep you safe, ignore the unions.
You must go to work.
Got it?'
Salford and Eccles MP, and Shadow Education Secretary, Rebecca Long Bailey, also tweeted support for the NEU stance... "without the evidence, the science and safety measures in place, the announcement to reopen schools for certain year groups is staggering. The #fivetests must be met before any planned reopening to reassure parents, staff and pupils that they are safe."
And Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, joined the fray with his tweet: "Trying to keep a sense of national unity. But not sure the PM has helped us there..."
Earlier, Burnham had tweeted: "The Government are dropping #StayAtHome because Downing Street thinks it has been 'too effective'. Work that one out if you can...", together with the quote from the Sunday Telegraph (see photo).
Meanwhile, there have been six new virus cases in Salford, taking the total to 864, up from 858, with the low rise possibly due to the Bank Holiday and weekend reporting. And one more sad coronavirus related death has been reported by Salford Royal Hospital.
The coronavirus mobile testing station in Albert Park, Broughton, remains open until tomorrow, Tuesday 12th May – for details of how to book appointments etc see previous Salford Star article – click here.
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