Commenting on plans announced today (Tuesday) regarding mass testing in schools in the new year, UNISON head of education Jon Richards said: “Effective testing is key to defeating the virus. School staff want widespread testing – they’ve been calling for it for months. But they also want the government to get this one right.
“Staff will worry that the government appears more concerned with headline grabbing than discussing the detail.
“This is a huge operation. Expecting plans for mass testing to start in the same week heads are grappling with the decision over whether to close early is too much.
“Education unions want to work with the government, but important questions remain about how and when it will happen and who’s paying.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Garfield Myrie M: 07432 741565 E: g.myrie@unison.co.uk
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk