THE NEU has said that by potentially re-opening schools in March the Government "fails completely to recognise the role schools have played in community transmission".

Earlier this week, Boris Johnson confirmed that the original road map out of lockdown would not be possible and has said that schools will not be able to open until at least March 8.

On Wednesday, Boris Johnson told the Commons: “If we achieve our target of vaccinating everyone in the four most vulnerable groups with their first dose by February 15, and every passing day sees more progress towards that goal, then those groups (will) have developed immunity from the virus about three-weeks later, that is by March 8.

“We hope it will therefore be safe to begin the reopening of schools from Monday, March 8.

“With other economic and social restrictions being removed thereafter as and when the data permits… then or thereafter I should say.”

Replying to this statement, Blackburn with Darwen's Assistant Branch Secretary for the NEU, Andrew Pratt said: "We all want schools to open, but like the Prime Minister we want them to open when it is safe to do so. This has to be done sustainably and safely.

"The NEU agrees with Boris Johnson that this is a balancing act. If we come out too early, we will end up in lockdown again.

"Hinging his argument for schools according to the first four vaccine groups developing immunity by 8 March, is not enough in itself.

"This may protect the elderly and most vulnerable adults in the population, but it does not protect parents.

"It fails completely to recognise the role schools have played in community transmission.

"The Prime Minister has already forgotten what he told the nation at the beginning of this lockdown, that schools are a 'vector for transmission'.

"It would have been fine to have set out a roadmap, but to suggest a date at this stage runs the risk of creating false hope.

"The Prime Minister may now be immune to the embarrassment of u-turns, but school leaders, teachers and support staff, not to mention families and students, are utterly exhausted by them."

Boris Johnson has said schools will receive £300 million of new money for catch-up tutoring due to time lost in classrooms.

It is also unknown yet whether all year groups will return at the same time or if every region will return simultaneously.