Updated:
The corona virus is obviously spreading more strongly again in English schools.
London – The coronavirus is obviously spreading again in English schools. As the Ministry of Education announced in London on Tuesday, more than 200,000 children missed classes last Thursday (September 30) due to Corona reasons. That is around 2.5 percent of students in the largest part of the UK. According to the ministry, about 122,000 children and young people (1.5 percent) were absent from class on September 16.
102,000 schoolchildren were absent because of a confirmed corona infection and 84,100 with a suspected one – almost twice as many as two weeks earlier. Thousands also missed classes due to corona-related school closings.
School principals reported a “high level of disruption” because the new corona rules for self-isolation contribute to the spread of the virus in schools. Since the beginning of the school year, pupils only have to isolate themselves if they test positive themselves and no longer after contact with infected people. “We know of schools where ten percent or more of the students are absent and teachers and employees do not come to work because of the virus,” said Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders.
Education Minister Nadhim Zahawi, however, stressed that the government is sticking to the requirements. Meanwhile, 12 to 15 year olds can also be vaccinated against the coronavirus. (dpa)