Covid-19: More than 100,000 students absent from school
Schools in England have missed over 100,000 of their pupils to confirmed covid-19 cases last week, according to government figures.
Schools across the country have opened up its gates in September after a long covid-caused break. But not many seem to be walking through those gates. The Independent reported on some of the most notable numbers.
The statistics, provided by Department for Education (DfE), also showed many absences among schoolchildren for other reasons
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84,000 pupils did not attend school due to suspected cases on Thursday.
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An estimated 5,000 could not go due to restrictions on attendance to limit a Covid-19 outbreak.
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Thousands more were isolating.
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122,000 pupils were out of school due to a Covid-related reason on 16 September.
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An estimated 204,000 pupils in England – making up 2.5% of the country’s school population – were absent due to a Covid-related reason on 30 September.
The Association for School and College Leaders said the latest statistics are “grim”, reported the Independent.
Geoff Barton, the union’s leader, said that coronavirus is still causing havoc. “We are hearing from schools where there are 10 per cent or more of pupils absent and where staff are also off work because of the virus,” he said. (Carisoprodol)
“Teaching and learning is very difficult in these circumstances and it is clear that the educational disruption of the past 18 months is far from being over.”
Children no longer have to isolate after coming into contact with someone with Covid.
The Independent quoted a DfE spokesperson saying: “We are working with parents and school and college staff to maximise students’ time in the classroom – encouraging uptake of testing and the vaccine for 12-15-year-olds and contracting specialist attendance advisers to work on strategies to improve attendance where problems are identified.”
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