Boris Johnson Testifies on Devastating Impact of COVID School Closures on Children

Devastating Consequences of School Closures

• 🎯 Boris Johnson acknowledged that the decision to close schools on March 18th would have devastating consequences for all children, particularly the most vulnerable.
• 💡 A document from March 15th outlined significant implications: 9 million pupils potentially losing guaranteed education, 1.3 million poorest children missing free school meals, and remote learning proving inadequate for many.
• ⚠️ The document also highlighted that vulnerable children are safer in school, with 400,000 children with social workers potentially at risk due to domestic violence and isolation pressures.

Government Responsibility and Apology

• ⚖️ Johnson accepted full responsibility for all decisions made and any mistakes, offering an apology for aspects that were handled incorrectly.
• 👏 He expressed pride in the efforts of teachers and schools who coped outstandingly well under difficult circumstances.

Planning and Timing of School Closures

• ⏳ Johnson explained that the timing of decisions was influenced by an acceleration in scientific understanding of the pandemic curve.
• 🚀 School closures, initially considered a measure of last resort, became necessary due to the rapid increase in cases and teachers self-isolating.
• ❓ He stated his impression that work was being done regarding school closures, and he assumed that work was being done on the implications.

Challenges of Planning During the Pandemic

• 🧠 Johnson argued that judging the timing of decisions is easier with hindsight, as uncertainty about COVID transmission, the extent of child impact, and the pandemic's state made planning difficult.
• 📚 He maintained that the Department for Education (DFE) had done a lot of work and that schools responded heroically to the challenges.
• 📌 Despite the immense gravity and detriments, Johnson believed the DFE was working on the issue, and efforts were made to remediate the damage and provide education as best as possible after schools sadly closed.