Parents are the blockage at schools re-opening, not teaching unions

[noblegiraffe]

The government has spent months demonising teaching unions and blaming them for blocking schools re-opening, including in June when it was actually the government’s own guidelines that prevented the further re-opening of primary schools.

This has left them in a bit of a pickle because schools are re-opening in September, the unions aren’t blocking it, there are no plans for teacher strikes, but the latest survey data from the ONS says that only 90% of parents are fairly or very likely to send their kids back. If the data is similar to back in June, better off parents are more likely to send their kids back, and more disadvantaged families are less likely.

So the government are now running a campaign aimed at parents, putting out articles across all newspapers. The Chief Medical Officers have dutifully said that schools are safe. And the responses are ‘see, schools need to reopen, our kids are being thrown under the bus’. The message is being read the wrong way. It’s being read as being targeted at teachers and unions who it is supposed are stopping schools opening, and not at parents who don’t want to send their kids back.

And this is the government’s fault. Because they have spent months creating a fake war, they have dropped the ball on a real issue - creating safer schools that parents are happy to send their kids back to.

I've only seen a couple of people on here think that it IS the unions.

You won’t have seen the one on this thread because it was deleted, but there have been loads. Dear god I’ve even had a million conversations with my own parents about it. The Daily Mail has been running a constant teacher-bashing campaign since the start of lockdown, stirred up by Boris Johnson to give himself an ‘enemy’ to defeat hoping for the gratitude of parents.

The wheels are falling off though, because it’s become clear the unions aren’t blocking the re-opening of schools, and 89% of MNetters think the government is mindbogglingly incompetent at running education.

@noblegiraffe

I've only seen a couple of people on here think that it IS the unions.

You won’t have seen the one on this thread because it was deleted, but there have been loads. Dear god I’ve even had a million conversations with my own parents about it. The Daily Mail has been running a constant teacher-bashing campaign since the start of lockdown, stirred up by Boris Johnson to give himself an ‘enemy’ to defeat hoping for the gratitude of parents.

The wheels are falling off though, because it’s become clear the unions aren’t blocking the re-opening of schools, and 89% of MNetters think the government is mindbogglingly incompetent at running education.

Oh goodness! The couple I'd seen, I assumed they were U4Ts bots trying to stir things up. I didn't realise actual people really thought it was the unions fault. I must say, I had a lot of respect for teachers anyway but since lockdown & trying to do homelearning with my monsters darlings my respect has gone up for them. We've all been in the same boat, yet there's others out there that seem to hold teachers/school accountable for this whole mess.

In regards the Government, they'd say a teacher made it in a science lab if they thought even 1% of their voters would believe it.

@Hardbackwriter have just read your post about Public/Private sector employees and couldn’t agree more.

I’ve worked in both, unfortunately I’m currently working in the private sector and my employer hasn’t taken the initiative to call me once. I’ve been furloughed since March and I’ve had to make contact each time. No idea if I’ll have a job at the end of October! This would NEVER happen in the public sector! The public sector gives you a ‘cushioned’ feeling when things in life get in the way of working, the private sector, in my experience, can often feed you to the sharks, especially if you’re a woman!

And yet teachers have been leaving in droves despite the cushy public sector job security. There’s a critical shortage of them.

I must say, I had a lot of respect for teachers anyway but since lockdown & trying to do homelearning with my monsters darlings my respect has gone up for them. We've all been in the same boat, yet there's others out there that seem to hold teachers/school accountable for this whole mess.

Thanks! It is genuinely nice to read something positive about teachers. We are feeling a bit beleaguered.

Meh I've worked in the private sector in finance. Had all sorts of benefits and a proper HR team. Felt valued.
Teaching - undervalued, underpaid, overworked.

I do think we need to consider why some parents (whether 10% or one third depending on which stats you look at) are not happy to send their kids to school.

I'm certainly not defending the governments handling of this is any way, but I do think the teaching unions and some teaching staff are responsible for parents being concerned about safety in schools.

For quite some time early on in the summer we heard how it would be unsafe to teach in classrooms of 30 pupils with no social distancing. We heard how it was unfair that teachers would not have PPE. We heard how unions were concerned for their members safety if they went back into the classroom too soon, etc etc.

So yes I agree - it's not the unions blocking kids going back to school, but their previous actions certainly won't have helped those parents who may already be anxious about sending their kids back. And the same goes for the (I presume) small number of teachers who were so vociferous both in mainstream media and indeed here on MN about how their lives and that of their families were being put at risk by sending them back into a classroom.

While the majority of teachers are no doubt more than happy to just get back to doing what they love and are quietly get on with doing just that, rather than wasting their time trying to convince parents that it's safe. So i guess it's down to the Government and dear Chris Whitty to try and put a positive spin on it.

For quite some time early on in the summer we heard how it would be unsafe to teach in classrooms of 30 pupils with no social distancing. We heard how it was unfair that teachers would not have PPE. We heard how unions were concerned for their members safety if they went back into the classroom too soon, etc etc.

You don’t think it’s reasonable for teachers to raise safety concerns about how their workplace doesn’t meet the government covid-secure guidelines because this might be read by parents?

Wouldn’t it have been better for the government to deal with those concerns and improve safety measures such as those that have been implemented internationally instead of embarking on a campaign of teacher-bashing and refusing extra funding for schools to buy things like extra cleaning equipment and more sinks?

God, teachers really do get the blame for everything on this.

Or maybe the parents are capable of independent thought and can risk assess for themselves? Not to mention the utter incompetence shown by everything the gov has touched in this crisis not exactly inspiring confidence.

@Thunderpunt

The reason I am concerned about returning is I have read quite widely and discussed with the scientists I know. The virus is unchanged and social distancing is the only way to prevent spread at the moment.

It is unfair to blame teachers for speaking the truth.

Perhaps if the government we're even c-grade competent we'd have proper plans in place.

The government never directed schools to do online, or sorted laptops, or arranged extra space (as they are in Italy) or considered PPE.

Just wait until the next election when the parties are trying to say they are the best to look after our education system! Remember when the liberals were punished at the election when they allowed fees to be introduced ....

I am seething at the incompetence at the DfE/OFQUAL

the problem with the school guidelines is that it is all 'where possible'.

'Where possible' is the government get out clause.

Schools are 'covid safe' ('where possible')

It doesn’t take a genius to question the safety of ramming 1-2k teenagers from as many households onto public transport from all over the region and then into a crowded building with no sd or masks in a pandemic. Particularly when they’re not even allowed to visit their friends house and have to put a mask on to pop in the coop.

Think you might be underestimating parents critical thinking skills if you think it’s unions making them anxious.

@noblegiraffe

For quite some time early on in the summer we heard how it would be unsafe to teach in classrooms of 30 pupils with no social distancing. We heard how it was unfair that teachers would not have PPE. We heard how unions were concerned for their members safety if they went back into the classroom too soon, etc etc.

You don’t think it’s reasonable for teachers to raise safety concerns about how their workplace doesn’t meet the government covid-secure guidelines because this might be read by parents?

Wouldn’t it have been better for the government to deal with those concerns and improve safety measures such as those that have been implemented internationally instead of embarking on a campaign of teacher-bashing and refusing extra funding for schools to buy things like extra cleaning equipment and more sinks?

God, teachers really do get the blame for everything on this.

I do think it is quite reasonable for teachers to raise concerns. I believe those concerns are valid. I also believe that the majority of teachers are happy to go back into the classroom under the government guidelines as they stand. My point is, the small majority who shouted very loudly about how unsafe it was may have influenced some parents. And yes, most parents are capable of independent thinking and risk assessing for themselves. But there will always be some who will only remember or consider the comments that fit with their thoughts, irrespective of how many times they are told it's safe.

Yes there is a significant difference between a primary of 180 local small children with a tight catchment area to a 1200-2000 secondary with teenagers coming in from a wide catchment.

Chris W said we we’re at the limit of what we could safely open before they reopened yet more businesses. Now he’s being brought out to say schools safe?

Perhaps the punishment given to PHE for contradicting the government has made everyone a little more cooperative and willing to be ideological mouthpieces over scientists.

And the last few posts are the kind of thing I'm talking about.

If a parent who was already anxious about sending their child to school comes on and reads those posts where teachers are still questioning the safety in schools, then chances are they are going to think 'well the teachers don't think it's safe so I'm not sending mine'

Maybe teachers - who actually know what is going on in schools, beyond the reassurance letters to parents - have a point?

I also believe that the majority of teachers are happy to go back into the classroom under the government guidelines as they stand.

And if a minority are clinically vulnerable or have vulnerable children or parents, they should just go with a majority vote?

All the teachers I know think the whole thing is a shitshow so I’m not convinced by your assertion anyway.

And 89% of MNetters think the government don’t give a shit about schools based on their total incompetence in education to date, so blaming teachers for a lack of trust in the government’s ability to do anything well with schools is a bit far fetched.

Parents are the blockage at schools re-opening, not teaching unions

Weird choice of thread title when your opening post makes clear it's actually neither parents nor teaching unions which are the problem, it's the government.

All the children, all the time is completely unsustainable, and the main reason why my eldest doesn't want to go back. Why bother when the whole house of cards will collapse within weeks?

The government's plan denies the reality of droplet spread and the general reality of school buses, siblings and how weird and destabilising it's going to be "getting back to normal" when nothing's normal.

Our eldest would prefer to get on with a learning plan at home rather than deal with the disruption. But then he's studying maths and science so he has a good understanding of the situation.

All the teachers I know think it's a shit show as well. They're not going to tell you to your face unless you're a colleague though due to professionalism. Even the HT admitted it yet sent out lovely cheery letters about one way systems and hand sanitizer to parents..

@noblegiraffe

I also believe that the majority of teachers are happy to go back into the classroom under the government guidelines as they stand.

And if a minority are clinically vulnerable or have vulnerable children or parents, they should just go with a majority vote?

All the teachers I know think the whole thing is a shitshow so I’m not convinced by your assertion anyway.

And 89% of MNetters think the government don’t give a shit about schools based on their total incompetence in education to date, so blaming teachers for a lack of trust in the government’s ability to do anything well with schools is a bit far fetched.

What makes you think I believe that someone who is clinically vulnerable should go back into the classroom?

I don't think I stated that anywhere.

@Thunderpunt

And the last few posts are the kind of thing I'm talking about.

If a parent who was already anxious about sending their child to school comes on and reads those posts where teachers are still questioning the safety in schools, then chances are they are going to think 'well the teachers don't think it's safe so I'm not sending mine'

The point is that primary and secondary schools are different which is why government guidelines say 'where possible'.

So yes come back as we will be teaching. Just expect different rules and comply with them.

The government is going into overdrive on its school campaign. It would have been lovely if that money had been given to school budgets instead.

Thunder or maybe parents have realised for themselves rooms of 30 children for 6-7 hours a day in one room, with little to no ventilation, no PPE and minimal social distancing is possibly not the safest return.

This maybe because those same child are having to SD, wear masks and Athens places with limited numbers currently whilst in their parents care.

Nothing has changed. Give parents credit for having brains if their own and being able to make the known decisions on what they feel is safe.