Teachers ‘put through mill’ by constant Covid rule changes, says councillor
Constant changes in government Covid guidance to schools has sparked anger from Dudley councillors after the latest revision reinstated rules issued just months ago.
The council’s children’s services scrutiny committee heard schools are being ‘put the through the mill’ as amendments to safety guidance are issued on almost a daily basis.
Councillor Sue Ridney spoke of her frustration as advice on lateral flow tests in secondary schools was changed this week.
She said: “This is an absolutely appalling situation. Our schools are being put through the mill, our children have been put through the mill and it is a terribly, terribly difficult time for everyone without this swapping and changing.
“Policy is being made on the run. It’s backwards and forwards like a yo-yo.”
Her comments came as the committee was told the latest advice on lateral flow tests had changed after it was found up to 30 per cent gave false positives.
New guidance had said all children in a support bubble must be tested if one proved positive and before a decision was made on whether they should be sent home.
But this week the Department of Education reverted to its former position all pupils should immediately self-isolate.
Councillor Anne Millward, chair of the committee, said the government was not listening to schools and local authorities.
Saying councils were responsible for passing on and interpreting government advice, she added: “We are the delivery base. We have to deal with these policy changes that come through on Friday, Saturday and Sunday by Monday morning and I would not be a head teacher for all the money in the world.”
She ended by saying: “I do wish someone would listen to us.”
