2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:30 pm on 28 September 2021.

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Photo of Mabon ap Gwynfor Mabon ap Gwynfor Plaid Cymru 2:30, 28 September 2021

(Translated)

Thank you, Trefnydd. You'll be aware of the huge growth in the number of cases of COVID in our schools. Over the last week, there have been 9,500 cases among young people under the age of 20—most of them in our schools. A year ago, there was clear guidance for schools in terms of face coverings, ventilation, social distancing, and so on. And indeed, independent SAGE scientists highly recommend that such measures should be reintroduced in our schools today. With children away from school, being ill, without digital learning, many are missing out on their education, and a number of teachers can't attend schools either, and schools are having difficulty in staging classes. Currently, the rules aren't clear to parents as to who should isolate and who should attend school if they are in a class with someone who's tested positive. The system is a mess. It's leading some to think whether the intention is to have herd immunity among children and pupils. Trefnydd, in light of this, will you ensure that the Ministers for education and health bring urgent statements to the Senedd, including clear guidance as to how COVID should be managed in our educational establishments, please?