YOUNGER children and pupils with additional support needs are more likely to be back in the classroom next month, the education secretary has said.
John Swinney also believes teenagers preparing for graded assessments would be first in the queue under a phased return to schools.
Many pupils in Glasgow have been learning at home since the start of January when the country was placed back into lockdown restrictions amid rising levels of Covid-19 and a new variant of the bug.
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It comes after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed yesterday the measures - which have also seen the closure of non-essential shops - would remain in place until at least the middle of February.
When asked on Radio Scotland this morning how likely it was all pupils would return next month, Mr Swinney said: "It is difficult for me to give you a percentage analysis on that.
"We are looking at all possible avenues to secure the resumption of face-to-face learning.
"We are looking at the way in which that might be delivered. It is unlikely to be a binary choice: either everyone in or everyone out.
"It is much more likely to be a phased return where we will look at particular cohorts of pupils. The groups we are looking at will be the youngest pupils in early learning and primary where the analysis is that these groups are very unlikely to be transmitting the virus.
"We are also looking at senior pupils because they have certification processes coming up and we want to make sure they have access to all the learning and teaching they require.
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"We are also looking at additional support needs pupils whose situation is really quite challenging in many circumstances."
Mr Swinney outlined the decision would also depend on the prevalence of Covid-19 with the latest figures showing the level of the bug is beginning to slowly drop in Scotland.
"It really depends on the prevalence of the virus and the headroom we have with the numbers to see a resumption of parts of the education system," he added.
"We know when schools are in in full they contribute to the R level we have. If we have part of the school infrastructure operating, that contributes a smaller amount."
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