Education chiefs say they want to fast track new ways to provide online teaching and remote learning.

The move follows criticism from parents that some schools are not providing remote live teaching during the Covid lockdown. A petition has been launched calling for more face-to-face teaching.

One parent of a year 10 student told the Examiner: ’My main cause of concern is the lack of actual teaching. There are currently no online classes, where the students can be taught by the teachers.’

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture has acknowledged the concerns.

Its Education Improvement Service is aware that there are varying types, styles and amounts of remote/online learning being provided by schools, and has offered support and guidance to ensure a greater degree of consistency.

Education Minister Dr Alex Allinson pointed out that schools closed unexpectedly and have had to adapt as quickly.

He said: ’The long-term plans of head teachers to develop more opportunities for remote learning have had to be accelerated and new ways of teaching and supporting pupils developed and shared.

’Schools have developed online solutions at the same time as delivering a front-facing service for vulnerable pupils and those of key workers.’

Mr Allinson said: ’I hope this offers some reassurance to parents who have signed the recent petition.

’Teachers are having to formulate responses very dynamically to an ever-evolving situation.

’The department hopes that attendance at school can be expanded as soon as is safe to do so and that as many pupils as possible will be able to regain access to face-to-face lessons.’

St Ninian’s teacher Rachel Smith told a press briefing that remote live teaching of students during the lockdown may not be ’equitable’ as families without good WiFi can’t access lessons.

The recommended IT platform is Itslearning which allows teachers to engage with pupils and provide feedback on work submitted from home. Schools have been developing more ’interactive’ platforms.

Teachers have been encouraged to use apps such as Microsoft Teams to give online lessons and record instructional clips for pupils, which it is intended will go some way to alleviating concerns of parents about a lack of face-to-face teaching.

Schools have also been encouraged to loan devices such as iPads to households who may be struggling to access the teaching and resources.

The DESC is exploring how it can get greater broadband coverage for disadvantaged families, or families who may have to keep their children at home for longer periods due to continued shielding from the virus.

Parents who feel dissatisfied with the volume or quality of remote learning provided should speak to their child’s school, the department advises.