Working to make government more effective

Analysis paper

Schools and coronavirus: The government’s handling of education during the pandemic

The Johnson government's failure to make contingency plans for schools is the most “unforgiveable aspect” of its handling of education during Covid.

A teacher wears a facemask while teaching a primary school class

The Johnson government's failure – indeed refusal – to make contingency plans for schools and exams in the summer of 2020 is the most “unforgiveable aspect” of its handling of education during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Published ahead of the 2021 A-Level and GCSE results and based on interviews with government insiders and education experts, this report exposes how decisions were taken during the most disruptive period in children’s education since the Second World War.  

Publisher
Institute for Government

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