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Following on from Boris Johnson’s announcement of a further national lockdown due to rising coronavirus cases, students, parents and teachers are facing more uncertainty.
Just as millions of children were set to return to the classroom after the Christmas break, local authorities across the country are forced to delay schools reopening for the foreseeable future.
Whilst everyone realises the situation changes very quickly and the government must act accordingly, there are fears that we will have a repeat of the exams fiasco of last summer which caused immense anguish and upset for thousands of students.
What plans are in place to get things back to normality and how will the government ensure the digital divide no longer continues to hamper so many young people?
Government Proposed Solutions
Boris Johnson (PM) has tried to provide some reassurance. He stated that while it is not possible or fair for all exams to take place this summer, the Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, will work with Ofqual to make alternative arrangements.
He also added that, whilst schools are closed, free school meals will still be available for those who are entitled to them.
The Digital Divide of Pupils
As well as exam worries, there have also been concerns raised over the quality of remote education, which is exacerbated by the digital divide (highlighted in our blog last year).
Mr Johnson has stated that more devices will be distributed to families to support elearning. However, there will need to be a significant investment in this area if we are to ensure the necessary technology is made available to the one million children, young people and families across the UK without adequate access to this vital resource.
Mr Johnson provided some further reassurance by adding: “If deaths fall after the new vaccine rollout and people stick to lockdown rules, we hope to steadily move out of lockdown and reopen schools after the February half term.”
We certainly hope this is true and things start to improve so that young people can finally receive the education they deserve.
COVID-19 Resources
After COVID-19 — Returning to Education after the Coronavirus
This resource pack examines the COVID-19 virus through a number of unrelated subjects.
- Age range: 12 years and upwards
- Category: Schools
- Published: 2020
- Last revised: 2022
- Pages: 69
COVID-19 Lesson Plans
After COVID-19 — Economics
This lesson plan deals with the economical effects of COVID-19, furlough schemes and employment issues during the lockdown.
- Age range: 12 years and upwards
- Category: Schools
- Published: 2020
- Last revised: 2022
- Pages: 15
After COVID-19 — English
A lesson plan that covers individual activities and experiences during the coronavirus through reading and writing.
- Age range: 12 years and upwards
- Category: Schools
- Published: 2020
- Last revised: 2021
- Pages: 15
After COVID-19 — Geography
This lesson plan discusses the COVID-19 coronavirus geographically, from its origin to how it spread globally, causing a pandemic.
- Age range: 12 years and upwards
- Category: Schools
- Published: 2020
- Last revised: 2022
- Pages: 15
After COVID-19 — History
This lesson plan goes into historical pandemics and how they spread worldwide in times past.
- Age range: 12 years and upwards
- Category: Schools
- Published: 2020
- Last revised: 2022
- Pages: 12
After COVID-19 — IT/Social Media
A lesson plan that looks at IT and social media and their uses during the coronavirus lockdown.
- Age range: 12 years and upwards
- Category: Schools
- Published: 2020
- Last revised: 2021
- Pages: 15
After COVID-19 — Maths
Looking at COVID-19 from a maths and statistical point of view, this lesson plan covers the figures of the coronavirus.
- Age range: 12 years and upwards
- Category: Schools
- Published: 2020
- Last revised: 2021
- Pages: 11
After COVID-19 — PSHE
The personal, social, health and educational issues of COVID-19 are examined in this lesson plan.
- Age range: 12 years and upwards
- Category: Schools
- Published: 2020
- Last revised: 2021
- Pages: 13
After COVID-19 — Science
This lesson plan discusses the medical impact of COVID-19 and viruses in general. It also covers vaccines and protection against coronaviruses
- Age range: 12 years and upwards
- Category: Schools
- Published: 2020
- Last revised: 2021
- Pages: 13