Question reference: S5W-33533
- Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 26 November 2020
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Current status: Answered by John Swinney on 11 December 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, what steps it is taking to implement the terms of motion S5M-23385, which was agreed by the Parliament on 18 November 2020, including recruiting an additional 2,000 full-time teachers and making regular COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic staff and senior pupils widely available.
Answer
Work is progressing across all terms of the agreed motion. In considering any requirements for additional school staff we must take into account what local authorities are telling us about what would best meet the needs of children and young people in their areas. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport has also announced plans to undertake pathfinder testing work from January. This will evaluate the deliverability of asymptomatic testing in the school environment with the objective of establishing a sustainable programme of asymptomatic testing amongst school staff. Consideration of these issues is ongoing, including through budget planning processes and I will provide a further update to Parliament in due course.