Munira has presented a petition in Parliament on behalf of a group of local parents. The petition urges the Government to urgently devise a plan that will enable children to safely return to schools in September, if circumstances allow.
Presenting the petition in Parliament
Presenting the petition in the House of Commons, Munira said:
“I rise to present a petition on behalf of parents in my constituency and across the country who support the September for Schools campaign. They and headteachers alike demand clarity on how schools can return safely in September, especially in view of the Prime Minister’s commitment to fully reopening schools.
At the moment, there is no plan with the requisite resources attached. Headteachers need that plan to prepare, and parents need it to gain confidence to send their children back.”
Following the petition, Munira said:
“Parents, teachers and school governors are all united in wanting to get as many children as possible back to school as safely as possible, and as quickly as possible. They want a clear action plan from government so they can start making the necessary preparations now.
That’s why I have presented this petition on their behalf. It’s crucial Ministers urgently work with head teachers, parent bodies, unions and local authorities to devise and publish a plan to safely resume education in September if circumstances allow.”
The petition
The petition itself reads as follows:
The Petition of residents of the United Kingdom,
Declares that children must be at the heart of government strategy as lockdown eases; notes that research has shown that home-schooling has been inconsistent across the country during lockdown, with disadvantaged children faring particularly poorly; and further declares that the best place for students is in the classroom, as schools provide consistency, social interaction, stimulating learning environments and promote good health and wellbeing.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to work together with head teachers, parent bodies, unions and local authorities to devise a plan by 13 July to safely resume education in September so that all children can return to school.
And the petitioners remain, etc.
