A teachers’ union has asked the government to introduce more ’proportionate’ Covid-19 safety measures in schools.

This comes after government issued advice saying secondary school and UCM students and staff, plus children in years five and six and staff at primary schools, are ’expected’ to wear face coverings on educational premises.

The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) sent a letter to Education Minister Julie Edge urging the department to ’urgently reintroduce’ mitigations in schools ’amid soaring case numbers which appear to be driven by infections amongst pupils and staff’.

It said if this doesn’t happen, children’s education ’will continue to be disrupted’ and the safety and welfare of school staff, pupils and the wider community ’would be put at risk’, according to the union.

The union has called for a pause on whole school assemblies and in-person staff and parents meetings, the introduction of mandatory face coverings in all school areas, and the postponement or cancellation of any non-essential activities.

Patrick Roach, general secretary of NASUWT, said: ’Schools in the Isle of Man currently have some of the lowest levels of Covid safety mitigations.

’Face coverings, though recommended, are seldom worn by pupils in communal areas. Carbon dioxide detectors have not been rolled out as expected, with schools still awaiting deliveries. It is essential that government takes action.

’The focus must be on protecting public health and avoiding further damaging disruption to pupils’ education.

’Pupils, parents and school staff must not be left to have to pay the price of a lack of appropriate Covid safety measures in the run-up to the Christmas holidays.’

The Department for Education said in response: ’Ensuring our educational settings are as safe as possible for our staff and students, and maintaining face to face learning both for the immediate and longer-term are still our key priorities.

’A number of proportionate mitigation measures have been in place in schools for some time. We continue to review these measures and amend our guidance.’