Masks in Welsh classrooms no longer required next term
Education Minister Jeremy Miles has written to heads about how to operate safely in autumn - if Covid situation stays positive
Last updated 9th Jul 2021
Schools in Wales have been told that face coverings will no longer be routinely recommended in classrooms as they try to plan ahead for next term.
A letter to headteachers and college principals from the Education Secretary also says contact groups will no longer be required for school pupils or full-time learners in colleges.
Jeremy Miles says three main changes are being proposed to bring some normality back to education ahead of the new autumn term. He also said young people had told him the measures in schools were "not proportionate".
Face coverings will no longer be routinely recommended in classrooms and contact groups will no longer be required for school pupils or full-time learners in colleges in Wales.
The test trace protect system will also be used to identify close contacts of learners who have tested positive.
Normal school day sessions will also resume.
It all depends on case numbers as we head towards the autumn but if the situation remains positive the changes will go ahead at the start of next term.
"More at harm from missing school"
The Minister said,
“By the end of September all adults in Wales will have been offered both vaccinations, providing greater protection for our education workforce. A growing body of evidence also shows that children and young people are more at harm from missing school than from covid.
“Lots of young people I have spoken to have said that they don’t believe the current system is proportionate. They just want to be treated the same as everyone else – and that sounds fair to me.”
Gratitude
He also thanked school staff for their resilience during the pandemic:
"Before you embark on a well-earned break this summer I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for all your hard work and effort over the last academic year.
"I hope the break will offer you, and your staff, a chance to look back over the last year with immense pride – you have shown immeasurable determination and resilience in supporting learning and keeping education settings as covid-secure as possible.”