Calls for clarity on school Christmas break

Author: Rob WallerPublished 2nd Dec 2020

Pressure’s growing on the Scottish Government to make a decision on extending the festive school break as a measure to help control the spread of Coronavirus after Christmas.

Currently, each local authority has its own plans with schools breaking up between Friday 18th December and Wednesday 23rd December with pupils going back between the 5th and 7th of January.

Last week a leaked document outlined a plan to extend the school holidays nationally from 18 December to 11 January.

More discussions will take place this morning as John Swinney meets with the education recovery group.

"Parents deserve clarity. They deserve better than this." - Jamie Greene MSP

Scottish Tory Shadow Education Secretary, Jamie Greene, told Forth 1 he doesn’t believe extending the holidays is necessary:

"These are hard working families who are concerned, not just about the effect this will have on their chlildrens' education, but also their ability to go out and work. Many of these are front-line key workers and there's been no announcement made and no provision.

"Schools are closing in just two weeks and many hard-working families and parents have no idea what childcare provision will be offered.

"They have no idea how long their children will be off school for. What started as a four-day break over Christmas has turned into a four week holiday.

"Parents deserve clarity. They deserve better than this.

"My fear is that Mr Swinney is being pulled in all sorts of directions by stakeholders, including the unions, on this.

"What I would really like to see is John Swinney show some leadership. We cannot afford to lose more face-to-face eduaction. These young people have already lost far too much teaching time"

Scottish Labour Education Spokesman Iain Gray says everyone needs clarity:

"It's very bad for teachers' morale. Teachers are keen to see an extended break at Christmas and they can't get an answer from John Swinney. And it's very bad for parents.

"Let's hope that common-sense prevails and he takes a decision today, and then at least families will know what is happening?"

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already told MSPs she hopes an announcement can be made this week.

School holidays as they stand

Edinburgh City Council

Term ends Tuesday 22 December 2020.

Christmas holidays start Wednesday 23 December 2020 until Tuesday 5 January 2021.