Teachers and parents across South Yorkshire react to plans to bring in mass testing at schools and colleges
The government want to introduce mass screenings next month
Last updated 18th Dec 2020
Teachers are being told they won't be responsible for rolling out a mass coronavirus testing programme, next month.
The aim is to test every secondary school student in England twice when they return after Christmas - with the help of volunteers and the army.
Some schools have already started to put job ads out.
Secondary schools and colleges are being prioritised to begin with, as many are in their crucial exam years.
However, the government say the 'next step' is to work with local authorities in order to ensure similar measures can be carried out across primary schools in the near future as well.
Becky Hayes has a 5 year old daughter who goes to school in Sheffield.
She's frustrated that primary schools across the country haven't been included in the initial plans;
"I think it's really important that primary schools become a priority for testing as well.
"The children there are mixing everyday, in close proximity with one another, and they don't understand social distancing like older people do.
"When somebody tests positive in a primary school, obviously that bubble or year group then has to self-isolate.
"It's been this way for the whole academic year, and it's been a nightmare to try and work around, so mass testing would be so helpful."
Meanwhile, this anonymous college teacher in South Yorkshire reckons it should've been brought in sooner;
"The fact that it's taken so long for testing to be made available in schools and colleges is very disappointing to say the least.
"It's put staff members in danger, and students as well.
"I feel positive about this though, it's about time people teachers and students got more security.
"The only way we can feel safe in this environment is through constant testing."