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SNP backs down over threat of last-minute extension to school Christmas holidays

John Swinney revealed his decision at a meeting of the Covid-19 committee - Fraser Bremner/PA
John Swinney revealed his decision at a meeting of the Covid-19 committee - Fraser Bremner/PA

SNP ministers have backed down over their threat to impose a last-minute extension to the Christmas school holidays following a backlash from parents.

John Swinney said he had written to Holyrood’s education committee on Thursday morning to tell them that there would be no changes to the traditional two-week break.

Last week, parents were told that there was the possibility of a national extension to the holidays, with a plan for a three-week break across the country under discussion.

A last-minute extension had been pushed for by teaching unions, due to concerns that teachers may have to conduct contact-tracing work into their holidays, and potentially on Christmas Day, and because of the fears that a festive relaxation of restrictions on socialising could lead to a rise in cases after the new term begins.

However, parents raised concerns that a national December 18 to January 11 holiday would cause a scramble for childcare and lead to their children missing valuable time in classrooms. In some parts of the country, schools do not break up until December 23, while in others, they return on January 4.

Providing an update to Holyrood’s Covid-19 committee, Mr Swinney said: “The Government intends to make no changes to the school holiday arrangements.”

In his letter, he added: “The Public Health advice that I received is to keep schools open as planned as the controlled school environment is more preferable to social mixing outside of school if schools are closed early. In addition, vulnerable children may be at greater risk if they are out of school for an extended period.”

He added: “I am also mindful that an extension to the school holidays could cause significant difficulties for working parents.”

Councils have been told to take measures to minimise the risk of school staff being distrurbed by contact tracers during their Christmas break, which could include seeking volunteers to be “on call” in exchange for extra pay.

The longer holidays had been discussed in talks between council officials, ministers and unions despite the Scottish Government repeatedly claiming the benefits of keeping schools open outweigh the risks of closing them.

In a report, they said teachers and other school staff were at no more risk of contracting Covid-19 than members of other professions.

Schools in Scotland have been open full-time since August, with no requirement for social distancing between pupils.

However, unions have said that staff need more protection and have called for a return to remote learning in level four areas, which are currently in a near full-lockdown. They have threatened strike action over the issue, with a recent survey suggesting there is support for industrial action within the profession.

One EIS official described Mr Swinney’s announcement as an “appalling decision.”

Tom Britton, a special education teacher in the Borders, said: “To dangle the possibility of an earlier break and then take it away is shocking. Morale will plummet as a result. Utterly scunnered.”