O/T. The Government's handling of Covid

[Ram59]

Why would I ‘explode’, Ram? You and GP have become very fond of suggesting what ‘RA’ - and Swale or mista - will do/think etc but it’s invariably unfounded.

Do I think/have I ever suggested that teachers and head teachers are beyond reproach? Of course not. There are good and bad in all walks - and professions - of life. Simple as that and teachers are no exception.
I know of at least one teacher who has made the most of the opportunity provided for non attendance. On the other hand I also know that my daughter worked in school every single day of the last half term and that the two schools my wife and I worked in prior to retirement have remained open throughout the pandemic...even providing a ‘social service’ through the Easter holidays.

I don’t doubt for a moment that ‘opportunist heads’, as described by GP, exist and I share his contempt for them, however have most
teachers let down their students? I don’t think so.

I spent most of my career working with 14-16 year olds so I have to go back almost half a century to remember A levels. They were always, as with most exams, something of a lottery and that seems to be being replicated, albeit in another form, this year.

Much more important though than the ‘distraction’ of A level results is what will be happening in September. It will not be the fault of teachers if parents do not feel sufficiently confident in the physical ability of schools to follow social distancing rules.

The government, in the form of Gavin Williamson - aka Frank Spencer - has known about the problem for months but simply not tackled it. They love to take the credit for ‘building’ new hospitals so quickly back in March and April but in fact they did no such thing. They requisitioned certain buildings and equipped them as, largely and thankfully unused, hospitals.
Such action was worthy of praise but why haven’t they taken similar steps with schools?
Time after time we hear the mantra that all pupils will return to school as normal in September and hang wringing Frank tells us there’ll be fines for parents who don’t conform to this ‘moral responsibility’.

It won’t work...teachers, pupils and, above all, parents have justifiable concerns. You cannot safely fit a full class of pupils into a classroom with dimensions that defy all other ‘new normal’ rules regarding social distancing. Steps such as the acquisition of alternative/temporary buildings and the ’upskilling’ of teaching assistants should already be in place but unfortunately we have a Prime Minister and an Education Secretary who haven’t a clue and nothing has been done.

What I suspect you’ll see very soon is pupils on part time (50% at best) timetables and a great deal of online teaching for those with the equipment, parental support/capability, and motivation to make the most of it.

Ultimately the current A level fiasco will, I suspect, make little difference. What happens in all areas of schooling from September onwards will...but I don’t think you can blame teachers for the abject lack of planning.

Some good points there RA, the government have shown no flexibility in the return to full time schooling in September, when some schools physically cannot maintain safe standards. Some of these would benefit from temporary classrooms, where possible. However, others would need to have reduced hours or possibly some kind of staggered hours.

But, surely you must agree that there has been a large scale 'generosity' in the teachers' assessments. When you consider the facts that around 20% have received the top grades, then 50% of the remaining assessments have been over rated. This is not an isolated few teachers taking advantage, this is widespread. But strangely, or maybe not, the entire focus of attention has been placed at the Government's door.

Unfortunately, because of the massive numbers of students appealing, some of the genuine ones will get lost in the system.

[ramAnag]

Some good points there RA, the government have shown no flexibility in the return to full time schooling in September, when some schools physically cannot maintain safe standards. Some of these would benefit from temporary classrooms, where possible. However, others would need to have reduced hours or possibly some kind of staggered hours.

But, surely you must agree that there has been a large scale 'generosity' in the teachers' assessments. When you consider the facts that around 20% have received the top grades, then 50% of the remaining assessments have been over rated. This is not an isolated few teachers taking advantage, this is widespread. But strangely, or maybe not, the entire focus of attention has been placed at the Government's door.

Unfortunately, because of the massive numbers of students appealing, some of the genuine ones will get lost in the system.

Thanks.

It’s difficult to disagree that some teachers may have marked over generously. Beyond that I just don’t know but, as I’ve said, the priority has to be what happens from Sept’ onwards...and that IS the government’s responsibility.

Andy...I think people understand the need for people to self isolate/quarantine on their return. It’s the abruptness and timing which is a puzzle. The necessity for return from both Spain, some weeks ago, and now France were both announced at 10.00 pm and there seems to have been a curiously short and unrealistic window of opportunity for return in both cases.

Personally I’m also infuriated by the ferry, Tunnel and Airplane companies who appear to have profited from this ‘supply and demand’ attitude to customers. ‘All in this together’...I don’t think so.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Thanks.

It’s difficult to disagree that some teachers may have marked over generously. Beyond that I just don’t know but, as I’ve said, the priority has to be what happens from Sept’ onwards...and that IS the government’s responsibility.

Andy...I think people understand the need for people to self isolate/quarantine on their return. It’s the abruptness and timing which is a puzzle. The necessity for return from both Spain, some weeks ago, and now France were both announced at 10.00 pm and there seems to have been a curiously short and unrealistic window of opportunity for return in both cases.

So would you suggest giving people a 14 day "free pass" to get infected and bring covid back? As noted above, its not being abroad that exposes you if you take normal precautions, its what you are doing when overseas that makes you higher risk

[ramAnag]

So would you suggest giving people a 14 day "free pass" to get infected and bring covid back? As noted above, its not being abroad that exposes you if you take normal precautions, its what you are doing when overseas that makes you higher risk

Of course not, and I agree with your comments about going abroad...but why do we suddenly announce these things at 10.00 pm in the evening and seemingly give people thirty hours (I think) to get home which just - judging from the TV pictures - leads to horribly overcrowded
ferries etc.
One ‘expert’ (non-government) yesterday was actually telling people that they could manage the drive from Southern Europe in that time but weren’t allowed to stop for fuel/toilets/refreshments. Helpful that.

[swaledale]

Of course not, and I agree with your comments about going abroad...but why do we suddenly announce these things at 10.00 pm in the evening and seemingly give people thirty hours (I think) to get home which just - judging from the TV pictures - leads to horribly overcrowded
ferries etc.
One ‘expert’ (non-government) yesterday was actually telling people that they could manage the drive from Southern Europe in that time but weren’t allowed to stop for fuel/toilets/refreshments. Helpful that.

In reality quarantines are ineffective, might ahve been useful from mid Feb when it was clear Italy, China etc had high levels of infection but now? They are just a lame government trying to appear on the ball, but actually its window dressing. The virus is circulating in evry country, however hospital admissions are down, the excess death rate is below normal.

An efficient track and trace system is whats required and this could be applied across europe to specific countries, but of course that would involve cooperating and working with the EU and politically thats unacceptable to the Brexit zealots.

The vast majority appear to be continuing their holiday and deciding what to do when they return, I suspect many will ignore the quarantine requirements should they still be in force on their return.

[Andy_Faber]

Of course not, and I agree with your comments about going abroad...but why do we suddenly announce these things at 10.00 pm in the evening and seemingly give people thirty hours (I think) to get home which just - judging from the TV pictures - leads to horribly overcrowded
ferries etc.
One ‘expert’ (non-government) yesterday was actually telling people that they could manage the drive from Southern Europe in that time but weren’t allowed to stop for fuel/toilets/refreshments. Helpful that.

36 hours might have been better but I agree with the short notice. Did I mention we had a visitor who came over for just two days, the 14 day rule kicked in as she had her first meal with us and she just sucked it up in good grace (she chose to isolate on return rather than scoot back), everyone chancing it abroad should do the same IMO and be bloody thankful they aren’t amongst those who are still locked down through immune issues etc