SCHOOLS will have to place their trust in parents that they are following strict holiday quarantine rules if the two week period overlaps with the beginning of the new term, teachers say.

Pupils in Scotland are due to return to the classroom from Tuesday.
Holidaymakers arriving in the UK from Spain must self-isolate for 14 days, while Belgium, Andorra and the Bahamas have also been added to the list of countries quarantined, following a significant increase in the number of cases of coronavirus.

The Scottish Government has warned that schools will only be allowed to remain open if the ‘entire community’ acts responsibly, which includes abiding by holiday isolation restrictions.

READ MORE: Council announces phased return for school pupils 

One Glasgow teacher said: “There has to be trust, unless a child or parents tell us they’ve been away and we will enforce the quarantine.

“Our plan would be to support any children at home and we plan to make sure we are clearly set up for another lockdown or blended learning.”

The Glasgow teacher said the council’s preparations for creating a safe environment for pupils and staff had been “good”.

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has been surveying members amid concerns over physical distancing and class sizes, testing in schools, as well as contradictions between procedures for schools and other settings.

She added: “Some (teachers) are calm and desperate to be back and some are anxious about the guidelines, which will be difficult on everyone.

“I suppose the commonality would be the deep care and love for school pupils and that we are so keen to make sure they are safe, well and learning.

“But if it we are doing it just to provide childcare for the economy then it negates the whole education process.

READ MORE: Scots schools Covid fears as as survey reveals 'high degree of concern'

“It’s also worth considering that if parents send their children to school they must be available to get they them if they cough or spike a fever.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The arrangements for quarantine following overseas travel, and the associated enforcement measures, are clear. 

“Schools will only be able to stay open in the new term if the whole school community, including parents, pupils and staff, act responsibly. 

“That includes strictly following the rules on self-isolation.

“Parents whose children need to stay at home should speak to their school about how they can engage in learning remotely.”

A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman added: “As the Scottish Government’s quarantine restrictions remain in place for people travelling back from Spain and other countries - we will expect our families to observe the advice and follow the rules by self-isolating for the required amount of time.”