Sir Gavin Williamson has spoken out against Boris Johnson during his testimony at the Covid-19 Inquiry. The former Education Secretary criticized the government for delays in preparing schools for remote learning and for making last-minute decisions under the leadership of the then-Prime Minister. He expressed regret for not adequately planning for school closures and remote learning, acknowledging that scientific evidence had indicated the necessity for such measures.
There is growing evidence that the isolation and disrupted learning experienced by children during the pandemic have had long-term effects on their development. Sir Gavin admitted to numerous mistakes made both before and during the early stages of the pandemic, emphasizing the failure to prioritize emerging scientific data that proved to be accurate.
In March 2020, the UK initiated school closures for all but essential workers’ children and the most vulnerable. However, challenges arose with remote learning for families where key workers were absent or faced poor internet connections.
During his testimony, Sir Gavin highlighted the difficulties faced due to Mr. Johnson’s reluctance to close schools in the initial wave of the pandemic, hindering consultation efforts on potential closures. He also criticized the decision to announce a phased school reopening in May 2020, citing safety concerns.
The reopening of schools in England commenced on June 1, involving specific year groups, while other UK nations followed with varied timelines. Boris Johnson later announced a third lockdown in January 2021, leading to nationwide school closures and a shift to remote learning.
In a statement, a Government spokesperson acknowledged the need to learn from the pandemic and emphasized their commitment to utilizing the Covid Inquiry’s findings to enhance future planning and preparations.
