A teacher cleans her classroom as measures are taken to prevent the transmission of coronavirus before the reopening of a primary school in Poynton near Manchester, England. (Photo by=AP Photo/Jon Super) |
[아시아뉴스통신=레악카나 기자] Primary schools in England will reopen to some pupils from Jun 1, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Sunday (May 24). Only reception pupils aged 4-5 in the first year of school, those aged 5-6 in year one, and those aged 10-11 in their last primary year will return initially, he told a news conference.
Secondary school pupils will come back later, with "some contact" between teachers and older children preparing for exams from Jun 15, he added.Reopening schools were controversial, with Britain having the highest coronavirus death rate in Europe and the second-highest in Europe.
Teaching unions last week urged the government to reconsider plans to reopen, as it gradually eases lockdown restrictions, given lingering concerns over health and safety.Several local authorities across England have already ruled out a return on Jun 1, and schools remain shut in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where education is a devolved matter.
Schools will return part-time in Scotland from Aug 11 while Wales has not set a date for a return.
In Northern Ireland, pupils will only come back from September.