MPs to debate petitions relating to the impact of Covid-19 on schools and exams

#CovidSchoolsDebate – On Monday 7 December, MPs will debate e-petitions 326066, 550846, 316404 and 549015, relating to the impact of Covid-19 on schools and exams. Jonathan Gullis MP (Stoke-on-Trent North), member of the Petitions Committee, will lead the debate. The Department for Education will send a Minister to respond.

Reclose schools and colleges due to increase in COVID-19 cases

The petition, which has more than 415,000 signatures, states: “Close down schools and colleges due to the increase in COVID-19 cases. We are seeing cases of students and teachers catching the virus since schools have reopened.”

In response to the petition, the Government said: “Government’s priority is that all pupils remain in school and college full-time. For the vast majority of young people, the benefits of being in the classroom far outweigh the low risk from COVID-19.”

Cancel GCSEs and A Levels in 2021

The petition, which has more than 168,000 signatures, states: “The Government should cancel GCSEs and A Levels in 2021 due to the disruption of Covid-19. By the time students go back to normal learning, six months will have passed since schools were closed to most pupils. This has already had a huge impact on the studying of so many.”

In response to the petition, the Government said: “The Government is committed to GCSE, AS and A level exams taking place next year. We continue to believe that exams are the best and fairest way of judging students’ performance.”

Implement a two week school lockdown before 24 December to save Christmas

The petition, which has more than 118,000 signatures, states: “Schools should move to online learning from 9 December so that all students and school staff have a chance to isolate for two weeks and then can safely meet older relatives.”

In response to the petition, the Government said: “As set out in the Government’s COVID-19 Winter Plan, schools should not close early or change their Christmas holidays. It remains a national priority to avoid further disruption to education.”

Keep schools closed until Covid 19 is no longer a threat

The petition, which has more than 70,000 signatures, states: “The threat of covid19 is real. Children can’t be expected to maintain sufficient social distancing to keep this virus from spreading. They are social creatures. Allowing them back to school could cause a new spike in cases. They could bring it back home, even if they are a-symptomatic.”

In response to the petition, the Government said: “Government’s priority is that all pupils remain in school full-time. For the vast majority of young people, the benefits of being back in school far outweigh the low risk from coronavirus (COVID-19).”

The debate will last 90 minutes, and will provide opportunities for MPs to question Government Ministers directly on these issues. The debate will take place in Westminster Hall from 18:00, and will be available to view on Parliament TV.

Petition details

• Cancel GCSEs and A Levels in 2021 – view on petition signature map.
• Reclose schools and colleges due to increase in COVID-19 cases – view on petition signature map.
• Keep schools closed until Covid 19 is no longer a threat – view on petition signature map.
• Implement a two week school lockdown before 24 December to save Christmas – view on petition signature map.
• Any Library Briefing Papers for this debate will be available here.

Where in the country were these petitions signed?

The top 10 parliamentary constituencies that supported the petition ‘Reclose schools and colleges due to increase in COVID-19 cases’ are as follows (as at 1 December 2020):

The top 10 parliamentary constituencies that supported the petition ‘Cancel GCSEs and A Levels in 2021’ are as follows (as at 1 December 2020):

The top 10 parliamentary constituencies that supported the petition ‘Implement a two week school lockdown before 24 December to save Christmas’ are as follows (as at 1 December 2020):

The top 10 parliamentary constituencies that supported the petition ‘Keep schools closed until Covid 19 is no longer a threat’ are as follows (as at 1 December 2020):

Read the Education Committee’s report on Covid-19: the cancellation of exams and ‘calculated’ grades here.