Dear Editor,
It has been concerning to see that London has recently had some of the highest numbers of children off school due to COVID-19 infections.
The Government has failed to act decisively to protect pupils and teachers in the classroom during this pandemic.
This is not only causing significant disruption to children’s learning, but leading to schools and other education settings becoming major sources of transmission of the virus in multi-generational households and in the wider community.
We must also consider the significant impact this is all having on the psychological wellbeing of school-age children, with mental health services unable to keep up with the spike in demand.
One of the main ways that we can reduce the risk in schools is by ensuring there is adequate ventilation.
This is why it has been disappointing that the Government has so far only pledged 7,000 air purifiers for nurseries, schools and colleges across the country. This is clearly nowhere near enough.
There are also reports of some schools and parents fundraising to buy ventilation systems in the absence of Government support.
Another issue is that where schools and educational institutions are being provided with air purifiers, some still aren’t being given the guidance or financial support from the Government to install them.
For the sake of the health of our children and teachers and minimising the impact of the pandemic on our education system in the long-run, we need a much bolder plan for improving ventilation in our classrooms beyond encouraging staff to keep the windows open.
Yours,
Len Duvall AM
London Assembly Member for Greenwich and Lewisham