Voice Community – Community Union’s education and early years section – has given its reaction to the announcement of a national roll-out of mass COVID testing in secondary schools and colleges in England from January 2021.
Community Assistant General Secretary (Voice) Deborah Lawson said:
“This is good news – but at the wrong time.
“Voice Community has been calling for schools to have wider access to testing so they can be safe places of work.
“However, it’s outrageous that the Government should announce its plans for national roll-out so close to the end of term.
“The announcement is scant on detail, which will heap even more pressure on exhausted school leaders, teachers and support staff as they consider its impact at a time when they should be enjoying a well-earned Christmas break.
“We want our members and the children they work with to be safe, and mass testing is one measure the Government intends to use to achieve this.
“We know that mass testing has been piloted in the North West with some success, although we have yet to learn the details.
“Questions we await answers to include who will carry out the testing, and what disruption this will cause in schools and colleges?
“What training will be provided for those undertaking the testing and how will they be protected?
“Until the Government can fully answer these and other questions, we have reservations.”
If you are a member of Community and need help or advice, please contact us at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.
© Community Trade Union 2023