A teachers' union is calling on the Scottish Government to take urgent actions to reduce the risk of further disruption to education as a result of the Omicron variant.

THE NASUWT - The Teachers' Union says its members desperately want to be able to provide face-to-face teaching for all children and young people in the next academic term without facing further problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT general secretary, said: "Teachers have been on the frontline throughout the pandemic to support pupils and students and provide them with the best education possible.

"However, the rising number of cases of the Omicron variant could cause significant disruption in the next academic term with many teachers being forced to self-isolate.

"The Scottish Government must take immediate action to ensure that schools can continue to operate safely and provide high-quality education."

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The NASUWT is urging the Scottish Government to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission in by providing government-funded air cleaning units to every school and college that needs them, by committing to providing schools with more resources to provide on-site Covid testing and by providing improved financial support for the costs of supply staff to cover Covid-related absences. 

They also want the government to keep the amount of education disruption that takes place next term to a minimum to avoid further disruption to exams and thereby remove the uncertainty and additional workload for students and teachers. 

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NASUWT national official for Scotland Mike Corbett said: "Teachers, pupils and students, and parents will be concerned about the potential risk of further disruption to schools caused by the Omicron variant.

"The Scottish Government must do everything it can to prevent schools from experiencing significant staffing problems next term and further damage to the education of children and young people."