PRIMARY school kids will start returning to class in Wales from February 22, it was announced today – as ministers consider lengthening the school day to help kids catch up.
Kids aged between three and seven in Wales will return to the classroom first, Wales’ education minister Kirsty Williams said.
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Young kids are being was prioritised because they were the least likely to transmit coronavirus, and had more pronounced difficulties with remote learning, she said.
Ms Williams told the Welsh Government’s press briefing: “We have been clear that our children’s education is a priority throughout this pandemic.
“Sadly, we are not yet in a position to be able to see a full return to school for every learner.
“However, thanks to people following our national guidance, there is sufficient headroom for us to bring back some of our learners in a phased, flexible and progressive way.”
She added: “As we all know, you only get one childhood, which is exactly why we are all working so hard to support young people back into schools so they can learn with their friends.”
Wales – like Scotland – went into a national shutdown before England did, with shops shut around Christmas-time.
So their case rates have had longer to go down.
The country’s R number is estimated to be between 0.7 and 0.9, while its seven-day case rate is 130 cases per 100,000 of the population.
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