Liverpool City Council has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling for more funding to help pupils catch-up as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The letter to Boris Johnson, from Cabinet member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Tomas Logan, was requested by the council’s Education and Skills select committee.
Members passed a motion last month requesting Cllr Logan highlight ‘the fact that the pandemic has seriously further disadvantaged the potential education and skills attainment of Liverpool children and young people who need proper funding from Government immediately to address this dire situation’.
In his letter, Cllr Logan writes: “In forwarding this motion for your attention I would in addition point out that your government has prioritised the importance of children’s education throughout the pandemic. However, the recent announcement of the £1.4billion investment makes a mockery of such assertion.
“The period since March 2020 has seen considerable disruption and turmoil to the lives of children. The socio-economic impact will be felt for many years by all. While many services had to be stepped down during COVID restrictions it was schools that stepped up.
“Investment in education is the surest way to secure a sustainable recovery from COVID. The consequences of such a myopic investment will only result in long lasting socio-economic, educational and wellbeing consequences. The children of today and tomorrow will be the losers in this, especially those who need the help most.”
Cllr Logan said: “We can’t underestimate the impact that the pandemic has had, not just on learning but also the mental health of young people. We are working closely with schools as they put in place comprehensive support to help pupils catch up as part of our Education Improvement Plan, but the funding from the government falls far short of the amount needed.”
Director of Education, Jonathan Jones, added: “Schools worked really hard to put in place remote learning in place for pupils who had to self-isolate at home and I would like to place on record our thanks to all staff working in education for their incredible commitment over the last year or so.”
