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A union representing teachers in Jersey is calling on the Government to introduce mass testing of students before the new term begins.
Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said: “Given the extremely high prevalence of corona virus in Jersey, which is only likely to be exacerbated by greater household mixing over Christmas, we believe a coordinated plan for mass testing should be implemented prior to the return of pupils in January and as part of a tougher package of measures to protect staff and pupils in schools.
“The NASUWT is continuing to press Ministers to put in place additional measures to protect pupils and staff in schools, including a move to remote and blended learning, an extension to the use of face coverings on school sites, greater testing and additional protections for vulnerable staff, including allowing staff who are extremely clinically vulnerable to work from home.
“The Government must take stronger action which puts the health, safety and welfare of children and the school workforce first.”
It comes just days after the union accused the Government of failing to take teachers' safety seriously by not closing schools.
Pictured: NASUWT previously said the Government was not taking teachers' concerns seriously.
They said some teachers were "frightened" of the possibility of having to work in enclosed spaces with large classes.
Mass testing units have been rolled out across Kent, London and Essex this week as part of a bid to get all young people tested for the virus after a rapid rise of covid cases in schools.
More than 6,000 students in Jersey have been learning from home this week, and hundreds of teachers isolating due to having contracted the illness or having been deemed a direct contact. That number has since increased to more than 7,400.
Statistics released by the Government this evening showed that one in five teachers remained off school yesterday. Only a quarter of secondary school students went to school, and little more than half of primary school pupils.
Five students across three schools have tested positive for the virus in the past 24 hours: three students from Haute Vallée School, one from Grands Vaux, and one from Le Rocquier.
Three individuals from the wider school communities of Plat Douet, Grouville and D'Auvergne also tested positive.
Primary school attendance figures
Average 52.1% attendance rate
Secondary school attendance figures
Average 24.9% attendance rate
ALL School Average - both primary and secondary
Average 40.0% attendance rate
Number of teachers isolating, shielding or waiting for a covid test
97
Number of teaching staff absent with sickness
45
Number of teaching staff absent for family reasons
37
Number of support staff isolating, shielding or waiting for a covid test
96
Number of support staff absent with sickness
54
Number of support staff absent for family reasons
74
Number of pupils learning from home including those pupils absent with COVID
7,484
Number of schools with classes closed today
13
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