RETIRED teachers are being called up to help keep classes open – amid fears surging Omicron cases will force kids back to home schooling.
Boris Johnson has tonight used his address to the nation to urge former teachers to return to the fray.
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But he vowed to keep schools open if every Brit “plays their part”.
“We’ve asked qualified teachers who have left the profession to come back and help fill temporary absences,” he said.
“I want to thank them and all teachers, parents and pupils for taking the precaution to test yourselves and to wear a mask in the classroom, enabling vital face to face education to continue.”
Children across the nation are returning to classrooms this week – but heads have warned of disruption as teachers are forced to self-isolate.
And Mr Johnson warned this evening: “Anyone who thinks the battle with Covid is over, I’m afraid, is profoundly wrong.
“This is a moment for the utmost caution, but our position today differs from previous waves.
“We know now Omicron is milder than previous variants, and while hospital admissions are rising quickly, with over 15,000 patients in hospitals in England alone, this is not yet thankfully translating into same number needing intensive care.”
He said there’s a chance we can “ride out this Omicron wave without shutting down our country once again”.
“We can keep schools and businesses open and find a way to live with this virus, but the weeks ahead are going to be challenging here in the UK and across the world,” he said.
More to follow…
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