Students are due to return in a phased approach, with Years 6, 10 and 12 stepping back into their classrooms first.
In a response to a written question from Deputy Rob Ward this week, Education Minister Tracey Vallois said PPE had been supplied to special schools, and was provided if a child showed symptoms of Covid-19.
Deputy Ward, who was a teacher before he became a politician, said teachers should have access to PPE if they wanted it.
He said: ‘It needs to be at the discretion of the teaching professional in that classroom. They need to have access to everything and if they do want to use it then they should.
‘It is a difficult situation and an almost impossible one, but the stocks need to be there for the teachers.
‘Children and teachers need to feel safe and the decision on PPE needs to be down to that individual teacher.’
Deputy Ward continued: ‘If I was still a teacher, then I would want that reassurance that the items are there if I need them.
‘Pupil safety and staff safety is paramount. It is going to be strange. No one wants to have to teach in a mask, but this is an impossible situation really.’
Senator Vallois announced the decision to reopen schools last week, and confirmed private nurseries would be able to welcome back a set number of children into ‘bubbles’, or small groups, and children would also be allowed to return to their childminder or nanny, in accordance with established guidelines.
