End of the British exception: Boris Johnson announced at his now daily press conference on Wednesday March 18 that English schools would close on Friday March 20 after school, while the number of deaths from coronavirus increased by 30% in the country in twenty-four hours, increasing to 104 dead.
The situation was no longer tenable: earlier today, Scotland and Wales had already announced the closure of their schools and nurseries for Friday. And in Northern Ireland, the authorities were more and more divided, while Ireland had made this decision on Monday, like many other European countries. “There are two reasons why we made this decision: science and the reality on the ground. More and more teachers are isolating themselves at home, schools are approaching the point where they no longer have enough staff to turn ", insisted Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Prime Minister. The leader suggested that the closure could last three months.
Boris Johnson confirmed for his part that "The May and June exams will be postponed", referring to the GCSE (end of college exam) and A Level (the equivalent of the baccalaureate). "I fully understand the parents' concern, but we will make sure that schoolchildren are not penalized for the rest of their studies and diplomas", assured the Prime Minister. Schools should remain open for children "The most vulnerable and those of key personnel".
It will be up to the establishments – very autonomous in the United Kingdom – to establish their criteria. In addition, schoolchildren benefiting from free meals in their establishments (there are many in a country where child poverty reaches 30%), should have a national system of vouchers, said the Secretary of State for education, Gavin Williamson. The State will provide for the costs.
Increasingly worried parents
Why did we delay such a deadline, when the parents, increasingly worried, had already started to withdraw their children from institutions? “We decide the right things to do, at the right time. Closing schools has little impact on limiting the spread of the epidemic, as children are far less vulnerable. The advice of our scientists was therefore to leave the schools open as long as possible to avoid creating too much pressure on the hospital (their staff having to be absent to babysit their children) ", assured Mr. Johnson, flanked by his chief scientific advisor, Sir Patrick Vallance.
