As a member of Education Select Committee, I have looked a great deal at evidence of Covid-19 in schools. Studies have repeatedly shown that schools are no less safe than any other working environment. Similarly, evidence has shown time and time again that community transmission from schools is very low. I was very pleased to see the ONS studies that show prevalence among teachers is 15%, which is lower than the general population at 18%, confirming that schools are safe environments.
With this in mind, it is important to recognise the disruption this pandemic has had and continues to have on school children and their education. I have heard first-hand from headteachers in the constituency about the number of children having to self-isolate and the number of days of education that have been lost. Based on the evidence I have seen, the current policies are very heavy handed and are disproportionately strong, resulting in far too many children being sent home. I raised this issue in the House this week and was pleased to receive assurance the Health Minister that these measures will not be in place from 19 July.
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One headteacher in my constituency tells a tale of losing more than 2,700 days of education, having 390 children sent home and zero transmission among pupils in school. So will my right hon. Friend assure me that swift action will be taken to ensure that children can get back to school and headteachers can get back to teaching as soon as possible, without the damage the current situation is creating?
Yes, I can give my hon. Friend that assurance. The Education Secretary will be saying more later this week, but I can confirm to my hon. Friend that on 19 July it is our plan to remove bubbles and end the requirement for early years settings, schools and colleges to carry out contact tracing routinely. I will have more to say on how we intend to exempt under-18s who are close contacts from the requirement to self-isolate.
