Coronavirus & educational facilities
I have been contacted by a number of constituents who have concerns relating to the operability of schools and other educational facilities during the current Coronavirus outbreak. As your MP, it is my job to relay those concerns to Government, which is precisely what I have done today.
Read my letter to the Scottish Education Secretary, John Swinney MSP, below.
Dear Cabinet Secretary,
COVID19: Operability of Education Institutes
Over the course of the last 24-48 hours, I have received a number of representations from parents, as well as teachers, concerning the issue of education institutions remaining open during the current outbreak of COVID-19.
Firstly, I fully appreciate that the current crisis has presented a significant challenge to Governments all across the world and I realise the need to follow medical advice and scientific evidence.
However, a number of my constituents are questioning why schools, for example, are to remain open whilst decisions have been taken to close them in other European countries, such as France, Germany, Denmark and Ireland.
I appreciate that, up until now, the Scottish Government’s approach to handling the crisis has largely worked in tandem with the UK Government’s strategy, though I realise the Scottish Government’s ban on mass gatherings of 500 people or more diverged slightly from the UK-wide advice.
To reassure constituents, I would be very grateful if you could outline the Government’s current rationale for advising that schools remain open and whether or not this might be subject to review.
I look forward to receiving your response.
Yours sincerely,
David Linden MP
