Coronavirus diary, Sunday 21 June

While health and the economy have been dominant themes of the crisis, an equally important subject is education.

It is being been passionately debated with conflicting views about when it is safe to open schools.

The make-do-and-mend teaching efforts over the past three months have proved a poor substitute for what will be a lost six months. 

Difficulties: Gavin Williamson

The Education Secretary for England, Gavin Williamson, has already had difficulties - parents' reluctance to send their children to school too soon, the opposition of teachers' organisations and obstinacy of some local authorities, ,and again he is accused of poor organisation and failing to give clear instructions and advice.

His original plan to get schools in England operating this month failed and he is at risk by asserting that all schools will be open and running in September.

Weeks have been slipping past with children steadily falling behind in their work and with many losing their  enthusiasm to go back to school.

Private schools have shown initiative and skill  providing high class tuition by internet with teachers continuing lessons with their pupils. 

With the summer holidays looming, the new plan is summer camps which the Daily Mail said were 'so kids of parents can have a break before schools reopen in September'. 

The Prime Minister differs. To him they represent a 'massive catch up operation by offering lessons and activities' with an army of  volunteers assisting.

Like all the government's initiatives it has run into trouble. 
Judith Blake, chair of the Local Government Association's children and young people's board, said there had been no consultation and the scheme had not been clearly explained.  

The plan to have all pupils back in September, with rigid rules on distancing, is also likely to prove difficult, especially for secondary school pupils.

Once again this country has been accused of  muddling along, of not following other countries whose return to school plans seem to be working well. 

While the loss of six months schooling is obviously serious for most children and probably life changing for some, by far the worst affected are the teenagers about to go to university.

It is a sorry fact that it is the youngest generation hardest hit.
My generation had to adapt, survive and even flourish; it is  they who will have to deal long term with the drastic social and economic changes caused by the pandemic. 

They face a much more difficult life than we did. 

They need all the help and encouragement we can give them to cope with the challenges ahead.