NAHT Cymru has urged Jeremy Miles, the Welsh Government Minister for Education, to ensure that every school in Wales has CO2 monitors, and to fund ventilation issues identified by the devices.

In a letter today (Tuesday, 24 August) from unions in Wales, school leaders’ union NAHT Cymru is among them, stating to the Minister: “We are concerned that when children return to school in September very few mitigations to slow the spread of Covid-19 will be in place…

“We urge the Welsh Government to install carbon dioxide detectors in all schools in Wales to identify areas of poor ventilation, and supply sufficient funding to ensure that any area of poor ventilation can be promptly addressed. If areas are identified, then urgent action must be taken to ensure increased ventilation.”

Laura Doel, director of NAHT Cymru, said: “We understand that hand hygiene, self-isolation for those displaying symptoms and good ventilation will remain as the core principles for beating the virus and as such we must ensure that those measures are being robustly maintained. We do not believe that the issue of ventilation is being addressed despite repeatedly being raised by the unions. This is deeply concerning, particularly as the Welsh Government has set a course for the removal of other mitigation measures.

“The Westminster Government has taken a step in the right direction by pledging the funding of CO2 monitors for schools in England. However, identifying problems with ventilation, whilst necessary, is not the same as solving the problems.

“A comprehensive national strategy should ensure that every classroom in Wales is properly ventilated and that school leaders have access to the necessary funds.

“Covid-19 infections are once again rising in Wales. Everyone wants a sustainable return to education next week. While other mitigation measures might no longer be advised by the Welsh Government, ventilation is important for reducing the spread of the virus and reducing the extent to which staff and students are absent.”