MNHQ have commented on this thread
Petitions and activism
Why on earth are so few parents signing the petition to reopen schools?
canary1 · 17/06/2020 23:23
I am disgusted that children are shut of schools currently. The priority seems to be opening non essential shops and football. Our children are being failed. I am wondering why on earth are so few signatures on the petition to reopen schools? We should be matching on Westminster, not taking this! I can see less than 5000 signatures....
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/305525?fbclid=IwAR04Yrc7kx38uURQ5doNMonlw72-od2RoDXUClyrJdmcnpcVZSckqC2eaFs
CarrieBlue · 18/06/2020 11:06
@rwalker
So you mean the union rep has done their job and asked that the staff that they represent are accorded the courtesy of a safe working environment and your friends (who presumably are members of that union because they want the benefits of membership, one of which is having representatives who will insist on workplace safety) dont want their safety to be considered so have left their union and are going to work? It’s not unreasonable for teachers to expect to be safe at work, just like the rest of the population. If teachers don’t want to be represented by a union they don’t have to be members and then they can do what they like. Maybe you should suggest that to your friends.
CrowdedHouseinQuarantine · 18/06/2020 11:08
i think they should go back now and come a possible second wave in the autumn at least if they need to shut then, on a case by case basis, at least they will have had some education as well as building up their immunity to other things, before you jump on me about lack of immunity to covid 19
LittleCabbage · 18/06/2020 11:56
Because many people are more worried about transmission of a deadly virus than their children being taught at home.
The risk of a child dying of Covid19 is far lower than their risk of being killed by a car on the way to school. You can't elimimate all risk from life unfortunately.
You are assigning way too much power to teachers and unions.
Personally, I am not blaming schools at all. I want the Government to come up with a plan to get all kids back for September. There is time before then to analyse the science and either scrap social distancing in schools, or organise other measures (more money, PPE, cleaners, etc, etc).
formerbabe · 18/06/2020 12:00
The risk of a child dying of Covid19 is far lower than their risk of being killed by a car on the way to school. You can't elimimate all risk from life unfortunately
Children can die from chicken pox.
I read that risk of a child dying from cv is more than 1 in 3 million.
I'll take the risk.
CarrieBlue · 18/06/2020 12:02
The risk of a child dying of Covid19 is far lower than their risk of being killed by a car on the way to school. You can't elimimate all risk from life unfortunately.
It’s not just dying that is risked. It’s not just children in schools.
I'll take the risk.
As you are a SAHM, thanks for risking teachers.
twinnywinny14 · 18/06/2020 12:17
Unions offer advice, they do not lock teachers in their houses and refuse to let them work. I know teachers even in unions who initially advised against engaging and they are still back at work. So it’s not entirely the unions fault, many schools have less than 1/5th eligible children turn up- that’s parental choice for you
JimmyGrimble · 18/06/2020 15:12
Schools are working to government guidelines in trying to get back to some semblance of normal for September. These guidelines are fluid and subject to change. Many parents on here are demanding all children and staff back and everything going back to how it was. It’s not going to happen unless the guidelines change and that is firmly in the hands of Gav, the DFE and the government. I get the frustration, I want my class back in and learning, but what can we do? Demanding things that aren’t possible at the moment is childish and silly.
Appuskidu · 18/06/2020 15:22
My school is currently open, using every teacher and TA who isn’t shielding. We are open to all KW children who want a place, and one of the year groups allowed back-that’s it, we can’t staff any more.
If parents/government want us to open to anyone else, they are going to have to either tell all the shielding staff to return ASAP or pay for all of them to be at home, whilst ALSO paying for all their replacements to do their jobs in school. Our school has a deficit budget and is unable to pay both.
We will need to know NOW, to give us time so that we can replace them as well-we’d need to advertise, interview etc and there are 4 weeks left to the end of term.
I can’t see the government paying twice, so what do we do?
Will the government force the shielding teachers to return?
Jkslays · 18/06/2020 15:38
@JimmyGrimble
I think Jimmy if teachers pay was starting to be effected there would be much more of a concerted effort. If teachers homes were at risk of being reprocessed I think more would be inclined to make sure every one was back by September.
The teachers at my old school are on full pay. I know this for a fact. Even the school bus drivers are. Why would they be any rush? I don’t know if it’s the same at other schools.
JimmyGrimble · 18/06/2020 16:31
Jk you have a very simplistic and naive understanding of the influence individual teachers losing their pay could have on the reopening of schools. You, and a seemingly huge amount of others on mn seem determined to blame teachers for things which are largely beyond our control. Bread and circuses.
Jkslays · 18/06/2020 17:58
@Appuskidu
Yes, all teachers at my school are on full pay.
All of us are also in school working our normal full time hours.
The only ones who aren’t in school, are those who are shielding. Do you want to stop their pay?
Well considering the massive range of disparity between homework being sent out it might be a good idea for the government to take over all of the work teachers are supposed to be doing now.
Im on a education website. It has the entire curriculum, all the key stages and all frame work for the years. It’s pretty good actually.
We could all work from that then it really would be an even playing field.
Then teachers too could be furloughed. Then that too would be even playing field. No?
Besides teachers are on here all day defending themselves - can’t be that busy.
TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince · 18/06/2020 20:17
I don’t know any who are losing jobs. They need more staff not less. All secondary staff should be able to teach anything at KS3, and at KS4 should be able to deliver if they have an A Level in it.
I teach a non ebacc subject. I’m working flat out.
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