Face masks are to be worn in classrooms in England’s secondary schools to reduce the spread of the Omicron variant, the government has announced.
The temporary reintroduction of face coverings aims to address concerns about schools remaining open for face-to-face learning this coming term.
Meanwhile, six school staff unions have issued a demand for urgent action to limit the spread of the virus.
They warned national exams would be put at risk without further measures.
They also called for air-cleaning units, financial support for absence cover, help with on-site testing and a relaxation of the Ofsted inspection regime.
Schools across the UK are re-opening after the Christmas break over the next week, with pupils being asked to take part in onsite Covid testing.
Until now, England was the only one of the four UK nations where face masks were not recommended for pupils in classrooms. Teachers will not have to wear them under the new guidelines.
Some individual schools and local authorities in England had already required masks in classrooms, and face coverings were recommended in schools in England between 8 March and 17 May last year.
‘Number one priority’
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said face coverings would be required until 26 January.
This is when the current national Plan B Covid measures run out, although they will be reviewed on or close to 4 January.
He said education was the “number one priority” for him and the prime minister, and that they would do “everything in our power” to minimise disruption.
The government also said it would be making 7,000 air cleaning units available to early years settings, schools and colleges.
There are more than 24,400 schools in England, according to the latest government figures, but the Department for Education said the units would only be required in some areas of schools where opening doors and windows was not effective.
Staff absences
Staff absences and rising Covid rates at the end of last term – caused by the rapid spread of the Omicron variant – have led to fears of further disruption to education.
The four main teaching unions covering England, Wales and Northern Ireland – ASCL, NAHT, NEU and NASUWT – plus the GMB and Unison, have issued a joint statement calling for urgent steps to help schools.
It said schools needed to avoid exam disruption for a third successive year, and remove uncertainty and additional workloads for students and teachers.
More specifically, it said:
- Masks in secondary school classrooms are “overdue” and, while there are drawbacks, it is clear the Omicron variant poses a “very significant additional risk”
- Spring term will be “extremely challenging” with the biggest problem likely to be high levels of absence
- The additional air cleaning units are welcome but “adequate ventilation in classrooms should not be limited to first come, first served”.
Cabinet Office minister Steve Barclay said schools would be prioritised in terms of testing to ensure they reopened as planned.
Ministers recognised that face masks were “not something that many children will want to wear” but said the introduction of them in classrooms was to ensure face-to-face education was available, he said.
