Following a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Bradford’s schools, Imran has urged the Secretary of State for Education to reassure parents and teachers that children and staff are safe.

Over recent weeks, several schools across the Bradford District have reported positive COVID-19 cases amongst students and staff members, which has led to classes sent home to self-isolate and has prompted concern from parents that safety is not being properly prioritised.

In his letter to the Secretary of State for Education, Imran has stated that the Government must treat teachers and school staff as key workers and that they, along with students must be prioritised for regular testing to quickly identify cases and take action as soon as possible to minimise the impact caused.

In addition to expanded testing, Imran has also called on the Government to make greater funding available to schools to help them take further precautions aimed at preventing the spread of the disease, and to take all necessary measures when positive cases have been identified in students or staff.

Speaking on his call for reassurances from the Secretary of State for Education, Imran said:

“With a worrying rise in COVID-19 cases in schools across Bradford, a number of concerned parents have approached me to express their fears that safety in our schools is not being treated with the seriousness that it deserves by the Government, and that children and staff are being left exposed.

“Whilst it is right for children to be back at school so that they do not miss any more of their education, this cannot detract from the responsibility to ensure that they are safe, and I am deeply concerned that not enough preparation or coordination was done by Ministers in the months leading to the reopening of schools in September.

“The Education Secretary now needs to clearly set out how he will ensure that schools have the necessary equipment, measures and procedures in place, including enhanced testing, to keep children, teachers and parents safe, so that parents can be reassured and so that we can keep schools open without putting people at risk.”