Teachers told to IGNORE government guidance and tighten Covid rules in schools

TEACHERS are being told to IGNORE government guidance and enforce tougher Covid rules in schools.

Gloomy union bosses have urged staff to stagger start times, reintroduce bubbles, avoid mixing classes if there are absences and continue using PCR tests.

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The advice from the National Education Union contradicts that of ministers, who have dubbed “keeping schools open” their absolute priority as cases of the Omicron variant surge.

Government insiders have said there are no plans to toughen Covid rules as a string of hugely positive studies show Omicron IS milder than other strains.

The first official UK report revealed the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.

The best way for Brits to protect themselves and their loved ones is to get their Covid booster jab, health officials have repeatedly said.

The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits’ arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.

It came as more than a third of England’s schools are struggling to source supply teachers because so many staff are off sick with Covid.

A poll of 2,000 headteachers found that just days into the new term many are struggling to staff their classes.

The National Association of Headteachers, who carried out the poll, warned that the “worrying” problem is so bad many schools are already “teetering on the edge” of closure.

Paul Whiteman, NAHT general secretary said: “Given that this is a snapshot of just the first day of term, this is a very worrying picture.

“Many schools are teetering on the edge and the next few weeks at least will undoubtedly continue to be an incredibly challenging time.”

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