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‘Huge numbers’ of pupils across the North West are refusing to wear masks and do lateral flow tests
One school in Lancashire has reported just 67 out of 1,300 pupils being prepared to take a test and wear a mask
Secondary schools across the North West are experiencing ‘huge numbers’ of pupils refusing to wear face masks and take lateral flow tests, the teaching union has reported this week.
Ahead of the start of term in the New Year, all secondary schools across England were asked to provide one on-site lateral flow tests for pupils to test themselves with twice a week, or sometimes more frequently if they are specifically asked to do so.
Face masks have also been made compulsory in classrooms for Year Seven and above.
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi has previously said that there can be ‘no excuse’ for children not learning face to face in the classroom where they want and need to be, writing in the Sunday Telegraph: “Education is our number one priority and we will do everything in our power as a government to minimise the disruption to schools.”
Zahawi also told the BBC that the wearing of masks in classrooms will not be imposed ‘for a day longer than necessary’, stating that the mandate will be reviewed on January 26th when Plan B restrictions are due to expire.
However, according to the NASUWT Teacher’s Union, several secondary schools across the North West are experiencing vast numbers of pupils revolting against the new rules by refusing to wear masks or take lateral flow tests.
Speaking to BBC North West, Damien McNulty, a National Executive Member of the NASUWT, said in the last twenty-four-hours alone, six secondary schools in the North West have reported children ‘in huge numbers’ refusing to take lateral flows or wear masks in the classroom.
McNulty explained: “We’ve got one school in Lancashire where only sixty-seven children out of 1,300 are prepared to have a lateral flow test and wear masks.
“This is a public health emergency.”
A survey carried out by the the ASCL union suggests that this issue may stem down to parental consent, with more than half of secondary head teachers claiming to have faced difficulties getting parental approval for Covid tests, which are voluntary.
Geoff Barton, leader of the ASCL Union, told the BBC that parents might have heard ‘misinformation’ about testing, saying: “This is most likely to be simply a matter of oversight with some parents not returning forms.
“There may also be parents who are nervous about testing because they have seen or heard misinformation.”