REMOTE learning could be on the cards again for schools following increasing concerns over 'new wave' of Covid transmission rates next term, educations leaders have suggested.
Cumbrian schools have seen high Covid rates, low attendances due to positive tests and headteachers are facing "unsustainable pressure".
Speaking on measures to protect staff and students should a new wave of Covid hit, Sue Sanderson, the county council Cabinet Member for Schools and Learning, said: "Remote learning is the only alternative.
"If you have not got staff you cannot teach.
"Ventilation has been discussed as an issue by headteachers but we do not have the specific money for that."
Cllr Sanderson said that council funds for education can only be used on certain areas and assures the public they are working hard to deliver as best they can during the pandemic - something they are battling on multiple fronts.
Questions have been raised around ventilation and possible measures in order to prevent the rapid transmission of the Omicron variant of Covid, but Cllr Sanderson believes remote learning could be the only viable solution next term.
"We have weekly meetings with the heads and principals from around the county," Cllr Sanderson said.
EDUCATION: Sue Sanderson, cabinet member for schools and learning for Cumbria County Council
"Recently we have had schools with staff who are off with Covid.
"Staffing is the main issue and it is not just the fact that you cannot get supply in now.
"If you have a DT teacher off for example - it is difficult to get in someone with the same skills to come in and deliver a class for the curriculum."
Alongside this the school are also having to manage vaccinations, remote learning and delivering a curriculum that students need to take exams on, Cllr Sanderson explained.
The problems schools are facing at the moment could possibly get "even worse", according to the National Education Union secretary for the county.
Chris Brooksbank, Cumbria's secretary for the NEU said: "We already have schools going back to full online, and bubbles and classes working from home.
"The Government appears to spend most of its energy in threatening schools that face impossible situations when they simply cannot safely staff themselves."
ISSUE: NEU's Chris Brooksbank
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