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A mum is reviving an online petition to roll back restrictions and rules which were reintroduced in schools last week following a large spike in cases of covid-19.
Jo Morgan, who has two children of school age, is encouraging other parents to sign the petition in the hope of reinstating "care-free childhood" and doing away with compulsory face coverings, class bubbles and other similar measures affecting children once again.
Hundreds of islanders have now signed the petition.
“It seems that time and time again, children are the ones taking the hit with the covid restrictions,” said Mrs Morgan.
“I understand that the [Committee for Education, Sport & Culture] say these measures are necessary to avoid closing schools, but an alternative option could be that adults have restrictions placed on them instead of children.
"It should be the adults who make the sacrifice for the benefit of the community, not the children."
Pictured: Mrs Morgan's petition had close to 500 signatures last night.
Mrs Morgan said her son, who is 11, previously struggled with the restrictions in school and had to stay at home due to the anxiety they caused.
“I completely understand that something needs to be done, but it shouldn’t be children who take the responsibility," said Mrs Morgan.
“My eight-year-old daughter is coping with the restrictions, but there are a number of her friends who are anxious, like my son.
“Children are very sensitive and they deserve to have carefree childhoods - the same that we were allowed when we were young."
Pictured: Masks, bubbles and other rules and restrictions were reintroduced in Bailiwick schools last week. Since then, cases of covid-19 have continued to rise and yesterday known active cases reached 3,854, by far the highest number recorded in the Bailiwick since the virus was first detected two years ago.
Mrs Morgan believes the restrictions are having a negative impact on education.
“A lot more emphasis is being placed on children’s mental health, which is necessary because of the restrictions, but the time taken to focus on those issues is time taken away from academic learning,” she said.
“The restrictions include staggered start and finish times for students. At one of my children’s schools, this takes two-and-a-half hours in total out of teaching time each day.
“If other people, including parents like me, think that children should be allowed to play freely and be given the same opportunities we had as children, then I would encourage them to sign the petition.
“I hope that if the petition gains more signatures, the [Committee for Education, Sport & Culture] will take notice and the government will look at alternative options that adults can be doing to relieve the responsibility from the schoolchildren.
“I would like to see all restrictions lifted in schools and I would be happy to have the restrictions placed on me as an alternative.”
Mrs Morgan’s petition can be viewed by clicking HERE.
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