Full-time school return for Scottish pupils will come with ‘heavy price tag’

A full-time return to the classroom for all pupils is a “huge challenge” that will come with a “heavy price tag”, MSPs have been warned.

Stephen McCabe, children’s spokesman on local government body Cosla, insisted councils across the country were “confident” schools could fully reopen from 11 August, if the Scottish Government decides it is safe.

The Scottish Cabinet is due to make a decision on school reopenings when it meets tomorrow, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announcing what will happen the following day.

The Scottish Government has made clear its aim is for all youngsters to return to school five days a week when the new term starts.

A full-time return to the classroom for all pupils in Scotland has been described as a 'huge challenge'

But before that ministers instructed councils to draw up plans for “blended learning”, which could see some children spend as little as one day a week in school, with the rest of their education at home.

Mr McCabe said: “On the basis I have received from directors of education, they are confident they will be in a position to get schools back into full-time learning during August.”

Speaking to MSPs on Holyrood’s education committee, Mr McCabe said council education chiefs were “confident that whatever decision the Government makes on Wednesday/Thursday they can implement”.

Education secretary John Swinney told MSPs last week that secondary schools would have to take “practical” steps to ensure distancing between pupils if they reopen full-time on 11 August, but Mr McCabe said this would not always be possible.