Moray councillor holds parents' poll over way ahead for schooling
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A MORAY councillor has conducted his own Facebook poll on schooling after being "inundated" with emails from parents on the issue.
Conservative group leader Tim Eagle (Buckie) said schooling was clearly a significant area for parents as discussion builds around the proposals for the return to school in August.
Following recent announcements from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Education Secretary John Swinney, and a debate at First Ministers Questions yesterday, Cllr Eagle said a progressive schools debate was vital – but complex.
Cllr Eagle said he ran the poll to gain a better insight into parents' views after hearing many personal stories throughout the past 10 weeks.
His poll, in which more than 300 people voted, showed 79 per cent of parents want as much school as possible, with 21 per cent in agreement with the blended learning approach.
Cllr Eagle said: "Our school staff, including our head teachers, teachers and managerial staff have worked tirelessly to ensure the very best for our young people throughout the last 10 weeks. In a matter of days they radically changed the way they do schooling.
"This debate is not about attacking the proposals being put forward across Moray. It is a debate which focuses on the background advice which forms those proposals and one which lets parents have a voice."
Cllr Eagle said many parents had contacted him to raise concerns over issues such as connectivity, mental health, isolation and workload. He said some have found completing work at home a struggle, and some have noticed differences in their children.
He added: "I don’t think any of us would want to act against health or scientific advice on this virus, but as we move forward we do not face a binary choice. We must consider health, the economy, jobs, mental health, attainment and wellbeing amongst other things. Very importantly, we must protect our teachers and other support workers in our schools.
"Many parents are being asked to return to work and will need childcare if their local school is only operating part of the time – but if we end up with lots of young people in childcare or in hubs then there is an argument they may as well be in school.
"This is more of a national debate than local, and at this point in time I believe our school management team are working as hard as they can within the Scottish Government guidelines.
"But the question we have to consider is: are those restrictions too tight, when you consider the wider positives and negatives of both the proposed approach or an approach which brings young people back to school more quickly?
"It appears that more experts nationally now think a quicker return to school will be possible if the current reduction in Covid-19 in Scotland continues."
