SCHOOLS PLAN TO RE-OPEN FULL TIME FOR ALL IN AUGUST

All being well in August, our children can get back to school to resume their learning. This is great news for children, teachers and parents. Thanks to Kenneth Gibson MSP for championing this in The Scottish Parliament for some time.

As someone who taught English for 23 years before I was elected and as someone who grew up in poverty, I very much welcome this news.

The closure of schools means all pupils miss out on learning and teaching as well as the support and development opportunities schools provide. However, we also know that children from poorer socio-economic backgrounds lose out most from school closures and this widens the attainment gap further.

Re-opening our schools full time in August, all being well, is good news indeed!