NI teachers’ union urged to ‘stop whinging’ over restart

The DUP MP was commenting after the NASUWT revealed it has written to education providers – warning that legal action will be taken against any school that fails to protect teachers from Covid-19.

Last week Education Minister Peter Weir announced a full return for schools from the end of this month and not a staged return as previously discussed.

Schools have been closed since March due to the pandemic and a number of teachers’ unions have voiced concerns that the recommended social distancing measures will not be possible in many existing school buildings.

On Friday, Justin McCamphill of the NASUWT said he had “no confidence at all” in the minister’s proposals to ensure a safe return for pupils and staff, and added: “We are warning that this is a major issue and that we will be prepared to take legal action against schools who do endanger our members, and have written to all employing authorities pointing that out.”

In response, Mr Wilson said: “This is yet another example of teaching unions putting up obstacles to prevent children receiving the education they deserve. The minister has taken all necessary steps to protect children, with the introduction of classroom bubbles being just one example.

“Instead of carping from the side lines, Mr McCamphill should be encouraging teachers to get back to the classroom. I’m glad that many teachers are disregarding the whinging from the unions and are taking proactive steps to get our schools open again.”

The DUP MP and former post-primary school teacher added: “I know that tens of thousands of parents across Northern Ireland will welcome the clear advice and guidance from the education minister which will allow all children to get the full education they are rightly entitled to from September.”

Meanwhile, Ulster Unionist peer Lord Rogan has said “all necessary support” should be provided for pupils whose educational prospects have been put at greatest risk by the coronavirus lockdown.

Lord Rogan said that £700 million of new money has been allocated to Stormont by the UK government for public services spending, including schools, and has called for a “significant proportion” of the funding to be used to help those children “most severely impacted by being out of school”.

The UUP peer said the needs of those pupils who have suffered most must also be at the forefront of the Executive’s thinking, and added: “Tailored assistance will be essential and headteachers will require additional staffing resources to deliver it.”

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