Currently in the UK more than 170 schools and colleges are taking part in a new Covid scheme aimed at keeping students in school despite them having been in close contact with a positive case of the virus.
As part of the programme the selected pupils will take daily lateral flow tests before attending lessons and, if the results come back negative, they can continue with in school teaching - only having to isolate outside of school hours. In the case of a positive result however, they are told to self-isolate immediately for 10 days.
The proposal has been praised for its focus on keeping children in education despite the pandemic. However, the scheme is also controversial particularly amongst students and parents as it raises many ethical questions. Some argue that partaking in such a scheme means those who have not opted into the trial may unwillingly be at increased risk of contracting Covid. A fellow student at Surbiton High, Ella Richardson stated that, ‘schools should consult students on matters that put them at risk especially after how far we have come’. Furthermore, another student, Mairwen Hobbs believes it is a, ‘very risky game to be playing’. Such comments clearly highlight the dissatisfaction that the situation has caused amongst students.
Moreover, from a social perspective students are also unhappy with the setup as although they are able to attend school, (provided they produce a negative lateral flow test result), when outside of school they are obliged to self-isolate. Maisie Munro, a partaking pupil at Surbiton High School expressed how, ‘it is nice to be at school but frustrating that u can’t take the same lateral flow test during the weekend and go out’. For this reason, teenagers across all participating schools are irritated by the arrangement.
In fact, my own school is partaking in the programme with approximately 10 students taking daily lateral flow tests. I spoke to Emily Gerrish, (participant in the scheme) where she expressed her disappointment with the arrangement. She told me that, ‘it doesn’t make any sense, it’s confusing, unfair and feels futile’.
Despite the clear discontent that the programme is evoking amongst the students involved, it may be the best option going forward, particularly from an educational point of view. In addition to this it is also supported by the Department for Education, with its “ethics cleared” by Public Health England. Moreover, the argument remains that, daily testing offers a similar level of effectiveness as quarantine when it comes to reducing the number of Covid cases.
So, whilst it is unpopular with with pupils it could be our only hope of overcoming the virus and the problems it brings.
Happy testing!
