Scotland: Ban on parents attending nursery graduations challenged in Parliament

Dozens of angry parents have spoken out in recent weeks about the guidance issued by Scottish Government that prevents them from attending their child’s nursery graduation and school sports days.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament yesterday, Nicola Sturgeon said that the advice of the Government’s education advisory group is that gatherings of this nature ‘should still be restricted’.

She said, ‘One reason for that is overall protection of educational establishments in order to try to minimise the potential for whole nurseries or early years establishments having to close.’

Conservative MSP, Megan Gallacher, who is the party’s shadow minister for children and young people, wrote to Sturgeon last week, outlining how the ‘inconsistency’ in the guidance is causing ‘real frustration’.

She said, ‘Parents and guardians are understandably furious that while 6,000 people can attend the Euro Fan Zone event, their children will miss out on a small celebration.’

Her letter contained suggestions of how to make the event Covid-safe by holding it outdoors; in small groups and with social distancing measures in place.

Scotland’s children’s commissioner, Bruce Adamson, also joined calls from MSPs last week for ministers to review their guidance.