Boris Johnson to Clarify COVID Classroom Realities

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, school systems faced unprecedented challenges. On this topic, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson is scheduled to provide evidence to the UK COVID-19 Inquiry. His testimony will focus on the pandemic’s effects on children and young people, as part of Module 8 of the independent hearings.
Boris Johnson’s Testimony on COVID’s Impact
Boris Johnson’s leadership came under scrutiny during the pandemic, particularly regarding schools. Teachers battled daily with strict measures such as mask mandates, hand sanitizers, and ventilation issues during winter months. Despite these efforts, the challenges continued.
Government Policies and School Operations
Teachers felt overwhelmed by changing rules and inadequate support from the government. For instance, during the summer of 2020, instead of enhancing ventilation and physical safety in schools, the government prioritized a dining incentive program, “Eat Out to Help Out.” This lack of foresight led to significant disruption in education.
Key events in the timeline include:
- 20 March 2020 – Schools across the UK closed.
- 23 March 2020 – Boris Johnson announces the first national lockdown.
- 1 June 2020 – Phased reopening of schools in England.
- 3 August 2020 – Launch of “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme.
- 13 August 2020 – A-level results showed 40% of teacher assessments downgraded.
- 17 August 2020 – Education Secretary Gavin Williamson reverses grading decisions.
- 5 January 2021 – Schools closed due to rising cases.
- 8 March 2021 – Primary schools begin to reopen.
Online Learning Challenges
The transition to online learning brought further obstacles. Many students lacked adequate digital access, often sharing devices with family members as remote work increased. Teachers faced difficulties with unresponsive students during online lessons, struggling to engage those with cameras turned off.
Educators like one who recorded reading a classic novel highlighted the disparity in participation. Many children remained unresponsive, further complicating the online teaching environment.
Emotional Toll on Educators and Students
The emotional burdens also weighed heavily on educators, who not only taught but also provided support to families dealing with job losses and mental health issues. The pandemic heightened existing challenges, leading to increased anxiety among teachers, students, and their families.
For many educators, the last few years have marked the most demanding period of their careers, as they navigated the complexities of teaching during a global health crisis.