As schools are preparing for a possible month-long Easter break because of the coronavirus, teachers are, in turn, getting “home-learning packs” ready for their students.

The UK is taking steps to slow down the spread of the coronavirus which the World Health Organization has already classified as a pandemic.

Part of that plan includes having schools shut down and teachers teaching remotely.

A lot of Brits were already advised to work from home with many offices and workplaces gearing up for an Italy-style lockdown.

Irish premier Leo Varadkar already announced that all colleges, schools, and childcare facilities in Ireland will remain closed until March 29.

If this happens in the UK, that would put students out of school for about a month.

One teacher said: “We have been told an extended Easter break is a very real possibility if the virus spread continues at the predicted rate.

“We are now preparing for that eventuality. But this will not mean two weeks’ extra holiday.

“Schools in our local authority area – both primary and secondary – are drawing up plans for children to be given lessons at home.

“This will come in the shape of material drawn up by staff in advance in the form of set work from the curriculum on paper and also online work.

“Schools are drawing up lists of all children who have access to the internet at home even if it is via a parent or guardian’s phone.”

Teachers in Staffordshire and the South West have also planned for extended homework for the students if schools do close.

And another said: “We have had guidance from our head of the academy who has been told to expect at least a week-long closure, possibly two.”

In schools where children or staff have already been exposed to the virus, there have already been short-term closures.

With global cases rising above 100,000 and cases in the UK reaching at least 590, many believe that the country may go into a lockdown soon.

Such moves could involve working from home and scaling back social activities.

If schools go into extended shutdown, parents may take time off to care for their kids without fear of losing their jobs or facing disciplinary action in what is known as “dependent leave.”

A Department for Education spokesperson said they have not issued any indications that any closures are planned, adding: “As the Chief Medical Officer has said, the impact of closing schools on both children’s education and on the workforce will be substantial, but the benefit to public health may not be.

“Decisions on future advice to schools will be taken based on the latest and best scientific evidence, which at this stage suggests children are a lower risk group.

“The advice from Public Health England continues to be for schools to remain open unless advised otherwise.”

 

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