(Press release issued 10 February 2022)
Campaign group Stand By Me Scotland has welcomed today’s announcement from the First Minister on the removal of the requirement for secondary school children to wear face masks in classrooms, however it has stated that it won’t rest until masks are gone from schools entirely.
The group of over 2,300 parents, grandparents, teachers and school staff formed earlier this year due to concerns about the educational and psychological impact of prolonged mask-wearing in school, especially on children with hearing impairments and those with additional support needs.
After First Minister Nicola Sturgeon failed to remove the mask requirement from children at her update on Tuesday, the group launched a Crowdfunder, which has already raised almost £3000 towards the costs of a legal challenge on mask mandates in schools. The group intends to keep raising funds to safeguard against any potential U-turn by the Scottish Government before 28th February – the date when masks are no longer required in classrooms.
Stand By Me Scotland co-organiser Ruth Harley, who is also a teacher, said:
“While we of course welcome today’s announcement, we are also angry that it took so long for this day to come. We also intend to keep raising funds until the days of masks in schools are completely over. Masks have no place in our schools, and must never, ever return.
Over the past 16 months, face masks in schools have disadvantaged young people with hearing difficulties and learning support needs such as autism, and made school life uncomfortable and unpleasant for thousands of children. Parents of these children won’t forgive the First Minister for this, and voters will remember what she has done when it comes to the local elections in May.”
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