NaPTEC Online

Chair’s message on Covid-19 on behalf of NaPTEC June 2020

Dear friends and colleagues,

I write to you as Chair of NaPTEC in what are unprecedented times for everyone. This is a time of crisis that no-one had anticipated and also one of social history in the making.  It is a period of much disruption and uncertainty, and sadly of loss. Our thoughts are with the heroes all around us: the medical workers in our hospitals and care homes putting their lives at risk every day to look after others, especially the elderly. Teachers in our schools and early years settings continuing to provide teaching and learning for our young people. Parents providing stability at home for families. These are the heroes of this time. In periods of instability and hardship such as this, heroes are not found in the actions of a few leaders but in the everyday courage of every one of us. We see this in the remarkable human spirt, the courage and innovation of communities and people of all ages.

Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the education system. Almost 1.6 million children have been affected worldwide by the closure of schools. In England, the Government has announced the re-opening of schools from 1st June, prioritising Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 classes with a strong steer to phase in reopening of all schools. The Government is insistent that children must return to school to receive their educational entitlement: a view contested by many educationalists as a stance that puts the economy first before the welfare of children and families. Ambitious plans and ones that continue to fuel debates between teacher unions, the Government and scientific advisers.

Certain groups of children are affected more than others by the closure of our schools and settings: those who do not have full access to support over the internet or those who live in cramped housing making learning at home difficult. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are particularly vulnerable and it has been suggested that the achievement gap between those children and their peers has opened considerably due to school closures. Learning and mental health are both affected and the extent of this has yet to be seen. What we can be sure of is that the way in which schools and universities have adapted so quickly to the new situation and acted so professionally has been incredible. Teachers continue to provide excellent on-line resources across the curriculum to maintain continuity and support learning.  Headteachers and school governors provide the steer on a school’s response to Covid-19. Lecturers in universities and colleges support students on- line using new technologies. True heroes that we in NaPTEC applaud and pay tribute to.

It is in a spirit of hope that I write this message today. In NaPTEC we share this vision for hope. We know we will survive this and acknowledge that from these uncertain times come new understandings.  Lessons can be learned about inequities in our education system in all phases that school closures have highlighted. It may mean a more flexible and inclusive approach to learning can be taken. A chance to review curricula and adapt. An opportunity to look more deeply at assessment practices and to refocus learning that includes building important skills of resilience and social-emotional learning and create a system-wide education that is more inclusive for its children and its workforce.

I hope that you and your family and those you love stay safe and well.

-Dr. Jonathan Doherty, Chair NaPTEC