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Council considers partial return to online learning due to soaring cost of heating classrooms

01 Nov 2022 2 minute read
School learning online Picture by the Welsh Government.

Elgan Hearn, local democracy reporter

School children could be taught online from home for a day a week due to the cost-of-living crisis.

Councillors in Powys have discussed introducing remote leaning because of the soaring cost of heating classrooms over the winter.

As during the Covid lockdowns, some school hubs would remain open to look after some pupils who would not be able to study from home.

Responding to a question about the possibility of online lessons being reintroduced, Cllr Pete Roberts, the cabinet member for education, confirmed the move was being considered along with a range of other measures to cut costs.

Budget pressures

“There are significant budget pressures on all of us and we are needing to be considering every option regarding potential savings,” he said.

“We did suggest the possibility of four-day week; with a fifth day being taught virtually as well as blended weeks of learning as extreme cases for consideration.”

Stressing that there is no “clear directive” given to schools to do this, he added that a “financial toolkit” is being prepared and shared with schools to help headteachers and school governors discuss how to tackle the financial crisis.

“Ultimately it is the decision and responsibility of the headteacher and their chair of governors regarding the school budget and one size does not fit all,” he said.

Mr Roberts added that schools would need to produce plans explaining how they will continue with children’s education and that they will need to think about: “any and every eventuality” and concluded that the option of online learning could, “reduce the utilities cost for the schools and lead to a considerable saving.”


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Y Hen Gog
Y Hen Gog
1 year ago

Shocking that Powys Councillors should even consider a return to online lessons for reasons of cost for heating classrooms. Surely a dereliction of the offices they hold, as Powys is one of the areas most impacted by off grid heating , the financial impact on households to heat additionally during term time will be of devastating impact on household budget, shame on these councillors.
Online lessons should only be used in times of pandemic.

Y Tywysog Lloegr a Moscow
Y Tywysog Lloegr a Moscow
1 year ago
Reply to  Y Hen Gog

Passing soaring childcare costs onto already under pressure parents? Council should be ashamed

hdavies15
hdavies15
1 year ago

Can’t think beyond their own narrow interests. The deflection is horrendous, yet these are the same bunch of cvnts who would have fined parents for keeping children at home.

Charles Coombes
Charles Coombes
1 year ago

Create schools as warm places?

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