Schools announcement ‘coming in next few days’, says minister after fears kids won’t return until Easter

SCHOOLS will find out about reopening “in the next few days”, the Government said.

Boris Johnson added getting primary school kids back into class would be a “top priority”.

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The PM said two weeks’ notice would be given if children can go back after half-term on February 22.

It would depend, he added, on factors including the rollout of the vaccine and the rate of infection.

He played down speculation of regional school reopenings, saying the Covid crisis was a “national picture at the moment”.

The PM also admitted that “protracted lockdowns” were damaging kids’ education.

His remarks came after Schools Minister Nick Gibb promised an announcement on school reopening “in the next few days”.

He made the pledge as he faced fury from MPs. Tory MP and paediatrician Caroline Johnson said she saw firsthand the damage to children’s mental health.

She said: “With the vaccination programme steaming ahead, levels of Covid falling and in some cases lower than they were last term when schools were open . . . the balance of risk is now in favour of reopening.”

Conservative Steve Baker, deputy chairman of the lockdown sceptic Covid Recovery Group, said: “Either open the schools or justify the decision to keep them closed.”

Shadow education secretary Kate Green said parents, students and staff had not been given a “credible plan” they need for schools to reopen.

Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield said primary Years 1 and 6 should be the first to return, followed by the rest of those schools.

Secondaries should reopen later, Years 11 and 13 going back first. Schools in areas with fewest infections should reopen first, she added.