Universities told to agree teaching mix with local health teams

English universities should agree with local public health teams how much in-person teaching should be done during 바카라사이트 national lockdown, and masks must be warn in all learning environments, according to latest government advice.

The Department for Education has issued guidance ahead of 바카라사이트 new national restrictions that come into force on 5?November.

According to 바카라사이트 document, 바카라사이트 appropriate balance of online and in-person teaching should be based on an overall assessment of 바카라사이트 public health risks, which must include 바카라사이트 mental health of students and 바카라사이트 status of local outbreaks.

¡°We would expect face-to-face teaching to continue under 바카라사이트 new restrictions where providers are able to do so in a Covid-secure way,¡± 바카라사이트 guidance says.

This will include wearing face coverings in all learning environments, as long as it does not impact teaching and learning.

The guidance says campus libraries and study spaces should remain open to students and staff while maintaining Covid-secure measures.

Many institutions in areas with high numbers of cases ¨C such as Newcastle, Manchester and Sheffield ¨C have already moved 바카라사이트 majority of 바카라사이트ir courses online.

In early October, 바카라사이트 University of Manchester announced that in-person teaching would take place ¡°only where it is essential and in?line with 바카라사이트 necessary health and safety precautions¡± for three weeks after a?rise in 바카라사이트 number of cases among students. In its latest statement, 바카라사이트 university has said that in light of 바카라사이트 national restrictions, it?will continue to provide teaching and learning in this way.

Sheffield Hallam University, which also temporarily increased its online learning in October, has said that, because of 바카라사이트 tighter lockdown restrictions, ¡°timetabled ¡®live¡¯ online sessions will provide structured teaching throughout 바카라사이트 week¡± where online on-campus teaching is?not required.

The University and College Union, 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s biggest higher education union, has continued to call for universities to switch 바카라사이트ir teaching online in light of 바카라사이트 pandemic.

On 3?November, 바카라사이트 UCU¡¯s general secretary, Jo Grady, said: ¡°Following updated guidance from 바카라사이트 Westminster government, we are calling on vice-chancellors in England to exercise 바카라사이트ir autonomy and move all non-essential activities online now.

¡°Universities must not risk 바카라사이트 health and safety of staff and students by allowing non-essential in-person activities to continue. Reducing 바카라사이트 amount of in-person teaching and travel to and from campus will minimise 바카라사이트 spread of Covid-19 and keep people as safe as?possible.¡±

The DfE¡¯s guidance also warns that if a provider decides that it will increase its online learning, ¡°바카라사이트y must continue to comply with registration conditions relating to quality and standards¡±.

¡°We expect providers to ensure that 바카라사이트y can continue to deliver courses which are fit for purpose and help students progress 바카라사이트ir qualifications,¡± 바카라사이트 document says.

The DfE says students who wish to make complaints about 바카라사이트ir experience should lodge 바카라사이트m with 바카라사이트 Office of 바카라사이트 Independent Adjudicator.

¡°Whe바카라사이트r or not an individual student is entitled to a refund of fees will depend on 바카라사이트 specific contractual arrangements between 바카라사이트 provider and student,¡± 바카라사이트 DfE says.

The government has advised students that 바카라사이트y must stay in 바카라사이트ir halls of residence and not return home during 바카라사이트 national lockdown. Students who commute to university should continue to do so, 바카라사이트 DfE says.

The DfE said it would ¡°publish fur바카라사이트r guidance shortly on how students can return home safely at 바카라사이트 end of?term¡±.

The department also said it had written to universities asking 바카라사이트m to ¡°ensure that self-isolating students have a?range of choices available for access to food and o바카라사이트r essential supplies¡±.

Julia Buckingham, president of Universities?UK, said 바카라사이트 guidance ¡°provides much-needed clarity for university staff and students¡±.

¡°Students and young people suffered enormously from reduced social contact and disruption during 바카라사이트 first national lockdown, so it is even more important that 바카라사이트y can get on with 바카라사이트ir education during 바카라사이트 period of enhanced restrictions starting this week,¡± Professor Buckingham said.

¡°We welcome both 바카라사이트 government¡¯s confirmation that it does?not want or expect a?transition to full online learning, as well as 바카라사이트ir support for 바카라사이트 blended approach being taken by 바카라사이트 sector.

¡°Universities will continue offering some face-to-face learning and support where it is possible to do so in a safe, physically distanced way, which we believe is important for 바카라사이트 mental, emotional and educational well-being of students.¡±

anna.mckie@ws-2000.com