Teachers in Derbyshire and the East Midlands call for 'proper ventilation systems' to be installed in schools
We've been speaking to the National Education Union in the East Midlands ahead of the new academic year
It's feared that schools across Derbyshire and the rest of the country 'will struggle to contain the spread of Covid-19' over the winter months.
The East Midlands' National Education Union believe more could've been done this summer-to help reduce any anxieties around the possible spread of the virus.
Senior Regional Officer Dave Pike reckons the Government should've focused on getting air purifiers installed in as many classrooms as possible:
"The Government advice at this stage is simply to keep the windows open. Can you imagine a British winter, where schools have to keep their windows open? It makes zero sense.
"There needs to be proper Government funding in place, to put proper ventilation systems into schools.
"It's a certainty that teachers will be sent home because of Covid. A lot of our members are inevitably feeling quite anxious about this.
"We want to see a concrete plan from this Government to make schools safe.
"Schools are really struggling. It's cost them a lot going through Covid, as the safety measures weren't cheap to implement.
"Financial pressures on schools have been extensive, and Government funding simply hasn't cut it."
We contacted the Department for Education spokesperson in response to this.
They provided us with the statement below:
“Education remains a national priority, and the success of the vaccine programme means schools and colleges will deliver high-quality, face-to-face education to their pupils, with minimal disruption.
“That is why the measures in place strike the right balance between making schools safe - with enhanced ventilation, Covid testing and vaccinations of older students and staff - and reducing disruption by removing bubbles and face coverings.”