MSP Colin Beattie urges safe return to school for pupils

Schools in East Lothian will return on August 11, while Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) settings will open during the summer.

An agreement between councils, professional associations and parent representatives means that physical distancing, staggered arrival and departure times, enhanced cleaning regimes and a range of other measures must be implemented.

To maximise the time pupils can have in the classroom and to support children in the new model of schooling, including digital home learning, the government is also spending £9 million on 25,000 laptops or tablets – with internet access provided – for disadvantaged children, as part of the first phase of provision to support learning outside school.

Mr Beattie, SNP, who also represents Midlothian North, said: “In reopening schools in Midlothian and East Lothian, ensuring the safety of children, young people and staff and giving parents the confidence that schools are safe is the overriding priority.

“To allow appropriate physical distancing, children in Midlothian and East Lothian will return to a blended model of in-school and at-home learning from August 11 – subject to scientific advice that it is safe to do so.

“Of course, these arrangements will not represent a complete return to normality by August.

“We don’t know how long schools will have to work this way, just as we don’t know how long coronavirus will be a threat.

“I’m sure I speak on behalf of everyone in Midlothian and East Lothian when I share my gratitude towards parents, carers and teachers who are doing so much to ensure that children continue to learn during this lockdown period, and to those young people who have stayed at home in extremely challenging circumstances.

“By doing the right thing, all of us have helped to slow the spread of the virus, to protect our NHS from being overwhelmed, and to save lives.”