Skip to main content

Language: English / Gàidhlig

Loading…

Seòmar agus comataidhean

Action on Active Ventilation in Schools

  • Submitted by: Michael Marra, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour.
  • Date lodged: Monday, 29 November 2021
  • Motion reference: S6M-02326
  • Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, 01 December 2021

Motions as amended

That the Parliament notes with concern that case rates for COVID-19 continue to be highest among under-15s with seven-day case rates over 400 per 100,000; notes that the Scottish Government's Guidance on COVID-19: Reducing the Risks in Schools is informed by expert advice, including from the Advisory Sub-Group on Education and Children's Issues and the Health and Safety Executive; recognises that, while only one of a range of mitigations that are in place, this guidance requires local authorities to work with schools to ensure good ventilation and access to CO2 monitoring, and sets out clear criteria and strategies to help achieve this; notes that the Scottish Government has already provided £90 million to support schools with Covid logistics, including ventilation, with an additional £10 million provided to undertake CO2 monitoring in the learning estate; commends local authorities for the work they have done to date to ensure that 100% of all learning, teaching and play spaces across Scotland have received an initial assessment using CO2 monitors, with any required remedial action being undertaken in line with guidance; thanks Scotland's school unions for the constructive role they have played in raising the legitimate concerns of their members in relation to the importance of ventilation; welcomes the ongoing feedback and engagement with local authorities, unions and other relevant stakeholders on current ventilation guidance and its implementation, and further welcomes the Scottish Government's ongoing commitment to monitor and update school ventilation guidance, should that be required, in line with the latest scientific expert advice.


Supported by: Paul Sweeney, Martin Whitfield

Vote

Result 65 for, 54 against, 0 abstained, 10 did not vote Vote Passed

Scottish National Party

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Scottish Labour

Scottish Green Party

Scottish Liberal Democrats

For
0
Against
Abstained
0
Did not vote
0

No Party Affiliation

For
0
Against
0
Abstained
0
Did not vote

Original motion text

That the Parliament notes with concern that case rates for COVID-19 continue to be highest among under-15s with seven-day case rates over 400 per 100,000; considers that reducing transmission of COVID-19 in schools will be crucial for reducing levels of the virus across the country and that the lack of proper ventilation is a worry for young people, teachers and parents; recognises that Scottish Government ministers have repeatedly failed to publish information on the rate of failure and criteria for their ventilation inspection scheme, which inspected 40,100 of 52,000 learning spaces between August and October 2021; agrees that, especially during the winter months, there is a need for more active ventilation in schools, and calls on the Scottish Government to ensure that local authorities have funding available to install at least two HEPA filters in each classroom in Scotland.

Accepted amendments

Motion ref. S6M-02326.1

Action on Active Ventilation in Schools - Amendment - Amendment

Submitted by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, Dunfermline, Scottish National Party, Date lodged: Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Supported by: Clare Haughey, Jamie Hepburn
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Result 65 for, 54 against, 0 abstained, 10 did not vote Vote Passed