A MOTION has been passed to call on the Scottish Government to urgently target vaccinations at teachers and school staff to ensure the safety and continuance of in-school education.

The motion, brought forward by Rubbish party councillor Sally Cogley was passed at a full East Ayrshire Council meeting on Thursday, February 25. It succeeded by only three votes, the split being 17:14.

All SNP councillors voted against the motion, but support from the Labour, Conservative, and Independent wings of the council was enough to see it approved.

The Irvine Valley ward councillor said of her reasons for bringing the motion: “This is categorically not a debate about the importance of one profession over another, it’s about the children and getting them back to school as safely as possible.

“We know children have suffered as a result of the pandemic and the differences between students’ learning are increasing exponentially”.

She added: “This will also facilitate the return to work for parents who are currently trying to work and supervise online learning.

“Reopening our schools will have a massive positive impact upon the wellbeing of children, parents and a positive impact upon the economy”.

The motion will be presented to the Scottish Government to ask them to relax the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation priority categories in favour of teachers and staff.

The Scottish Government’s aim is to have all over 50s and all adults with an underlying health condition to be offered a first dose by April 15.