Government reportedly considering schools going back in 3 weeks

[FiveFootTwoEyesOfBlue]

On BBC News 24 now, article in tomorrow's Sunday Times says that ministers are considering schools going back in three weeks time. Plus allowing some shops and social gatherings, but not pubs and clubs.

This is why the public sector is unfair. Fine if you don’t choose to work but you shouldn’t be paid.

I’m fucking desperate to work to look after me and my child and happy to do so ASAP

Before anyone has a go at me, I don't think it's right for the front line staff to be putting themselves at risk either - especially as I bet the big wigs are all self isolating at home.

I'm not sure what the solution to this is though apart from proper PPE. There was a hospital where they treated covid patients and no staff caught the virus. Their PPE was insane and their procedures were second to none.

We can't even get PPE here.

@Mascotte teachers ARE currently working though so why wouldn't we pay them?

And people saying they’re “forced to work” when the government has said it’s safe should not be allowed to claim sick pay for their choice.

@BertNErnie I don’t think anyone could have a go at you. Your responses are so reasoned and you demonstrate empathy.

Not meant in a patronised way.

Mascotte

Teachers are working

But its interesting that you feel this way about teachers and not those that are furloughed on 80% pay.

I guess it comes down to whether people believe the government will reopen when it is safe to do so, or reopen because it is about getting the economy up and running.

The 5 pillars Williamson discussed today are so airy fairy, you could argue 3 have already been completed. You can do whatever you want with figures if you need to.

I was pleased he mentioned today thay the government are and will be working alongside the unions as I don't believe they will allow us to go back if they too didn't think it was safe so we should all be back as soon as it is safe to do so and I don't see any teachers who wouldn't go back to work on that basis.

@BertNErnie Was saying they would not work when schools go back unless they felt it safe.in my view it’s unreasonable then to keep being paid.

I appreciate teachers are working just now and that’s not my issue. That is if the government says the schools should go back in the teachers should go back in.

I’m all for government support for workers and furlough payments. But likewise I wouldn’t support those continuing for people who chose not to work.

And people saying they’re “forced to work” when the government has said it’s safe should not be allowed to claim sick pay for their choice.

Over these past weeks, it's clear the govt is clueless, untrustworthy and makes poor decisions. Why the hell should we trust it's safe when the data says otherwise?

Your comment is thoughtless.

You may not agree but it’s not thoughtless.

Thanks @Pomegranatepompom.

I think people are rightly increasingly stressed with the entire situation and sometimes we type things out of frustration and it comes out the wrong way of we look back at things we may have said before and thought 'oh shit, I shouldn't have said that' - I know I have done!

I do think though that there are some people who really take pleasure out of bashing those of us who work in the education sector for no good reason other than they hate us.

Teaching IS a vocation and not everyone can do it - there's no shame in that and those of us who have been doing it for years shouldn't be made to feel bad for still going. Just as I would be utterly useless at many other jobs but I wouldn't bash those in that profession.

Horses for courses and all that.

And I think it’s a luxury to make that decision. A luxury a lot of people don’t have. See the supermarket staff etc

@Mascotte I think we are all hoping for the same thing - we are relying on the data rather than the governments word in terms of when we can go back safely, however I'd most definitely accept that the majority of us are pretty sceptical of the government telling us the truth - particularly when this entire thing has been a farce from the beginning.

Bloody Boris was shaking hands with people at the beginning of March.

Bert I got bashed from a former teacher (supposedly) for saying that teachers are highly skilled professionals and can teach better than me.

Oh and it was not my right to be able to outsource education .

I could have been a teacher. If I applied to uni I would been accepted, but I would have been crap.

I keep reading on threads like this that teachers think parents and the government want schools to reopen to help get the economy going again by enabling people to get back to work.

All the parents I know want schools to reopen so their kids can be educated.

I don't send my kids to school as childcare, I do it so they can get an education.

How can you press home that teaching is a vocation, but not understand the value of kids being in school to learn.

During this crisis most vital workers have admirably continued with their roles, gone above and beyond, and appreciated compromise is appropriate.

Teachers are the only sector where this has not been seen. I've never known the public to have such a low opinion of the profession.

@peoplepleaser1 - thank you for recognising some of the horrible comments and jibes that are being made towards the teaching profession.

I think the issue is some posters say things like they need schools to go back now and then follow up with the fact that they have been furloughed or are trying to work from home but can't because it's difficult or because they are worried their job won't exist if the economy isn't back up and running ASAP.

I'm not saying ALL posters have said this, not at all but it's hard to decipher anything other than that if you see those posts?

I also want my children to go back to school to be educated. Even though I'm a teacher, it's completely different attempting to teach your own child and none make it particularly rewarding by saying "Mr x teaches it like this" "Miss F doesn't let us use that"

😬

They make it*

peoplepleaser1

Maybe the question should be why hasn't the media and government highlighted what teachers are doing?

Today was the first time that I recall that what teachers are doing as being recognised in the briefing.

Teachers have done many things throughout this including making
PPE for the NHS but this has never ever been said by the media or government.

@FrippEnos - excellent point. Three of my local secondary schools have been making PPE for local medical centres, care homes and the hospital - so the DT teachers have been making use of resources.

Excellent point @FrippEnos and so true.

I'm amazed it took 4 weeks for Williamson to address the children who have their lives turned upside down. Jacinda ardern, in comparison took the time during a press briefing to tell then children of New Zealand that the tooth fairy and Easter bunny were considered essential workers.

There is a serious lack of emotional intelligence in this government.

@FrippEnos many many people have been making PPE, some without any payment or wages or recognition there's not been time to thank them all.

During this crisis most vital workers have admirably continued with their roles, gone above and beyond, and appreciated compromise is appropriate.

We are! I am not doing as much as many teachers but I have have been continuing to teach which has included learning new technology, filming lessons, worked over my Easter holiday and am going into school to care for vulnerable children and key workers.

Next week I am remote teaching while running a project for vulnerable children in school.

Many other teachers are out delivering meals, making PPE equipment, delivering laptops etc.