A TEACHING union has called for staff to be given personal protective equipment and regular Covid-19 tests when pupils return to classrooms in August.

The Renfrewshire branch of the EIS said a number of conditions must be met for staff to feel safe.

And parents have expressed worries about how schools will maintain social distancing.

Kenny Fella, EIS Renfrewshire Local Association secretary, told The Gazette: “Teachers have been going the extra mile to ensure that educational provision has been maintained during lockdown.

“As the national lockdown is beginning to ease, the reopening of schools within Renfrewshire is now being considered.

“Notwithstanding the importance of children returning to schools and continuing with their education, the health and safety of staff, pupils and parents is the priority.

“EIS Renfrewshire has made it clear there are essential measures that must be in place to ensure the safety of all concerned.

“These include an established test, trace and isolate protocol, robust cleaning and hygiene regimes, clear and consistent guidelines for movement around school buildings, meaningful social distancing measures and the availability of PPE where appropriate.”

One parent has raised concerns over how schools will manage to impose social distancing restrictions on children who want to play with each other after months of lockdown.

“My concerns are the logistics of it all,” said the parent, who asked not to be named. “The school has no space for social distancing.”

Councillor Jim Paterson, Renfrewshire’s education convener, said: “Safety, cleaning and hygiene and physical distancing are at the heart of our planning and we will always follow the national and scientific guidance to protect our schools and communities.

“We are working with our headteachers on what we need to do to ensure staff, children and young people feel safe and confident to return to school or nursery and we will share this with everyone shortly.”

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond

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