Leader of teacher’s unions says Trump’s move to reopen schools is ‘unconscionable’ [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Teachers union head opposes President Trump’s demand for school reopening is not reasonable.
• Trump has earlier threatened schools that he will cut their budget if they don’t comply with the administration’s demand.
• Most American Federation of Teachers members is not comfortable returning to school if some safety measures are guaranteed.  

The top leader of one of the most prominent teachers unions in the U.S claimed educators might depart from their posts this fall due to the unrealistic demand of President Donald Trump’s to reopen schools amidst the outbreak.

On Wednesday, Trump warned that he would defund schools that will not fully operate this school year.

New York City, which has the most extensive public school system in the nation, said on Wednesday that authorities have set up a limited return to school plans. Gov. Andrew Cuomo clarified, though, that he’ll allow the scheme only if it’s safe.

Trump also called out Democrats to prevent school reopening because of politics, thinking that the move will help the opposing party by November.

On Thursday, Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), told Craig Melvin of TODAY, that if its members comply with Trump’s demand, instead of Andrew Cuomo’s warning, more educators will be forced to quit early.

“So at the very same time that kids need these experienced teachers because they’re facing three crises, they need people to calm them down, focus on their well-being and their instruction, we’re going to see a huge brain drain in the next few weeks. That was unconscionable what (Trump) did for political reasons.”

Trump’s demands on local delegates and states to completely reopen schools were following the sudden surge of COVID-19 cases in states across the nation. The new health situation made several parents, teachers,  and students worried about going back to school without proper safety measures.

The AFT, which has around 1.7 million members, has published its plans to ensure safety will be present during school reopening.

The guide includes measures such as physical distancing, propers testing, contact tracing of the infected, and isolation. The plan also involves the recovery and investing in union participation, including parents and the community.

An AFT survey among its members observed that should schools require distancing of at least 6 feet, ventilation, cleaning, and a particular arrangement of people at risk, the majority of the union, would be fine going back to school.

Weingarten said that some educators agree with Donald Trump that remote learning is not a practical option.

On Wednesday, White House authorities said the protocols released this summer by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about school reopening were too restricting.

Weingarten noted that safety measures for opening schools again are different from other venues such as restaurants and bars.

Source: AOL