Letter to First Minister

As part of our Not at all Costs campaign the has written to the First Minister highlighting teachers’ deep concern about school buildings remaining physically open even in areas of Scotland with high levels of COVID-19 infection.

 
Dear First Minister

I write to draw your attention to a series of briefings which the EIS is releasing, based on feedback from members on their experience in schools during the Covid-19 pandemic.

You will be aware EIS members have been clear in supporting the priority of keeping schools open, despite their very real concerns about safety, but not at all costs, First Minister.

As you will read, teachers are working in crowded classrooms where social distancing is not possible, often with inadequate cleaning supplies and protections. Schools are not Covid free environments – look at the evidence - and current mitigations are not keeping staff or pupils safe enough.

Mounting workload and the stress of working under such conditions is having a significant impact on the mental health and resilience of our education workforce.

I would ask that you read the comments from the classroom, and that moving forward your Government does more to acknowledge, and address, the real fear and anxieties which exist in schools, than has been the case to date, especially when we have areas operating at Level 4.

Yours sincerely

Larry Flanagan
EIS General Secretary