Michael Gove Expresses Concern over School Closures During Covid

Gove Blames Lockdown for Rise in Knife Crime and Anti-Social Behavior

Michael Gove, the prominent political figure and former minister, has shared his concerns about the closure of schools during the Covid pandemic. He believes that this decision may have been a mistake, with significant consequences for the lives of children and teenagers across the UK.

Gove points to the alarming rise in knife crime and anti-social behavior among teenagers as a direct result of the lockdown. He made these remarks following the tragic death of 15-year-old schoolgirl Elianne Andam, who was fatally stabbed on her way to school in Croydon, south London.

Interestingly, Gove was known to be a proponent of lockdown measures when the pandemic first hit, often aligning himself with the then Health Secretary Matt Hancock in advocating for stricter regulations.

Gove's Personal Responsibility

In his most candid comments to date, Gove says he feels a "personal responsibility" for the negative impact that the lockdown has had on the lives of young people. He highlights the fact that many children, especially teenagers, were unable to attend school after the initial lockdown, leading to increased truancy and persistent absence.

Gove asserts that these factors have been significant drivers of antisocial behavior, gang involvement, and other criminal activities among certain children and youth. Therefore, he emphasizes the urgent need to prioritize the reopening of schools as a fundamental step towards addressing these issues.

Uncertainty Surrounding School Closures

When asked directly if he believed it was a mistake to close schools, Gove responded candidly, saying, "I worry about that a lot. I don't know." This reveals the deep level of uncertainty that still exists around the decision to close educational institutions during the pandemic.

While Gove acknowledges that, overall, more decisions were right than wrong in tackling the crisis, he admits that the closure of schools was one of the most difficult choices to make. He expresses his greatest concern over the potential long-term consequences of this decision.

Addressing Anti-Social Behavior

Gove strongly condemns the recent incident of vandalism at the famous Sycamore Gap Tree along Hadrian's Wall, labeling it as a prime example of anti-social behavior. However, he refrains from criticizing David Cameron for his well-known "hug a hoodie" approach to dealing with troubled youth.

Instead, Gove advocates for a more compassionate approach, stating, "I think we should put a firm arm around their shoulder and lead them back into school." His focus remains on providing support and guidance to young people, ensuring they have access to education and a positive future.