Schools under criticism for losing track of numerous students during lockdown
The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has revealed that schools have witnessed an increase in ‘low level indiscipline’ and poor attendance since the restrictions were lifted.
During the lockdown and restrictions, schools were unaware of the whereabouts and activities of many young people, as stated in the Edinburgh-based probe.
The ability of teachers and support staff to provide social care, identifying students facing issues outside of school, and offering support when students were absent in person, was significantly reduced.
Graham Hutton, general secretary of School Leaders Scotland (SLS), emphasized the importance of physical contact within schools for intervention and support.
Jim Thewliss, retired SLS general secretary, echoed the concerns, highlighting the challenges of not knowing where students were when they were not at school.
He also discussed the negative impact on families, school attendance, and parental engagement, noting an increase in discipline issues and low-level indiscipline since the lockdown.
‘Discipline Issues’
According to Hutton, some students exhibited disruptive behavior, truancy, and disengagement from the curriculum following the return to school post-lockdown.
He explained how the disruption caused loneliness and lack of social engagement, especially for the more challenging students.
Parental Conflict
Thewliss mentioned conflicts with parents regarding attendance and behavior, with some parents failing to recognize issues and siding with their children.
He suggested that the education system in Scotland needed a fundamental change to adapt to the 21st century and improve quality and relevance.
The ongoing inquiry focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on education and early years learning in Scotland.
PA Media contributed to this report
