Teachers campaign to shut schools during UK's second lockdown

Tomorrow sees the UK's second lockdown begin. This time schools and universities will remain open even though concerns remain over rising covid-19 transmission rates in secondary schools versus the importance of children mental well being and educational development.

Many parents believe schools should remain open because online learning is not the same and also widens the gap between rich and poor over technology accessibility. The government has promised that education for students is vital, and they will do everything it takes for educational premises to stay open. However,the National Education Union is calling for schools and colleges to shut throughout the lockdown, and to only remain open for children of key workers and vulnerable children. The campaign has been supported by 150,000 teachers and staff. The union leader said: “The lockdown would be much more effective in reducing virus levels if schools and colleges were a part of it.”

Empty classes at London's schools.

For now, the government and Labour Party have united and insist schools to stay open, even if it means lockdown must go on for longer.

Written by Lucy Fifield.