Despite silence on this point, the Welsh Minister for Education has the legal power to allow schools to open for a fourth week, despite directions from their local authority to restrict re-opening to three weeks.
When asked in the Senedd about her powers to over-ride council directions by Shadow Minister for Education, Suzy Davies MS, the Education Minister did not answer.
Mrs Davies said: “We have school leaders and staff who have gone over and above to get ready for a fourth week. After everything they have already done, this is a generous offer and I am so grateful to them.
“We have children and their families who wanted four weeks. We have children and families who weren’t sure but may have made up their minds once they’d seen how the first week went.
“Time is running out here, but the Welsh Labour Government can still show leadership here if they care to. The Education Minister can still use her powers under Clause 38 of the Coronavirus Act to back those schools which can – and want to – open for a fourth week.
“She is sincere in her belief that it is necessary for children’s wellbeing to check in, catch up and prepare. It would be odd, then, if she didn’t actively support those schools who are so keen to support her.”