Mark and Catrina Cowie’s 12-year-old son has been to school for half an hour this term. And the couple from Wrexham are adamant they are not sending him back unless he can go to lessons without wearing a mask.
They are among parents demanding Wales removes the requirement for secondary pupils and staff to wear masks as Covid cases fall.
Mask-wearing rules for pupils in English schools were scrapped this week but First Minister Mark Drakeford said that children in Wales would have to wear them until at least the February half-term.
Read more: Mark Drakeford says Wales' face mask law will be reviewed soon - but suggests he'll keep wearing one
Mark and Catrina, who run a smallholding and have seven children, two of whom are at high school, said Alfie had been willing to wear a mask in communal areas at school. But when that was extended to lessons they felt it was unhealthy, detrimental learning and he would be better off home educated.
Alfie returned to Darland High on the first day of this term but was told he could not attend without a mask and hasn’t been back since, said Catrina.
“He was OK until he had to wear a mask all day at school. We have a massive issue with that. It affects their education. If you are trying to teach someone you need to see their whole face. Being behind a masks reduces their learning and means they are disengaged.”
Mark said they are less concerned about their five younger children at primary because they don’t have to wear masks, but are still worried that with teachers wearing them they are still losing out on early communication skills.
“Personally I believe wearing a mask should be a choice,” said Mark.
“I don’t think it’s healthy for a child to be in a mask six hours a day at school. Adults don’t have to do that in most jobs.
“I want them to drop masks in schools. Why are we still doing it in Wales? The evidence is not there. If all staff are vaccinated I don’t see the problem.”
The couple’s oldest child Eloise, 16, is in GCSE year 11 and still attending Darland High. They said the school allowed her to attend mask-free because she was being investigated for a heart condition, which she has, thankfully, now been told she doesn’t have.
But they are still worried about the effect of others around her wearing masks.
“They are playing political games with our children. Let them be children and see people’s faces and smiles,” said Catrina.
Mother-of-two Marta Kotlarek, from Holywell in Flintshire, agrees.
Her children are in exam years 11 and 13. Although they have exemptions and can go to school without masks she believes their learning is being hampered by teachers wearing them. Both her children are taking languages exams this summer at school in Colwyn Bay and Marta said those subjects have been particularly affected for them.
As spokeswoman for campaign group UsForThemCymru Marta said growing numbers of parents are getting frustrated and angry at what they see as a political move to keep masks when they are, in their view, not proven to make a difference - and say they are an obstacle to education.
“Children have had almost two years of disruption to their education now. The Welsh Government should get rid of masks in schools. There is no evidence they work (to reduce Covid transmission),” she said.
“I would say to First Minister Mark Drakeford and Education Minister Jeremy Miles - why do our children have to put up with these restrictions in schools when the general public do not?
“It is not fair. They have missed so much and now they also have to wear masks all day.They should get rid of them for the sake of their education and communication. I don’t feel teachers are at risk now.”
In England, head teachers are reportedly defying the UK Government over face masks in the classroom as dozens insist they will remain in place. The Daily Telegraph reported that more than 100 schools have already written to parents to say that children must continue wearing masks in lessons despite the Prime Minister’s announcement that the measure is no longer necessary.
England's education secretary Nadhim Zahawi insisted on Thursday that “all schools” should banish face masks so that children can “enjoy a normal experience” in the classroom.
The First Minister said he had attended a meeting of education officials and union leaders in Wales on January 20 and there was agreement across the board that face coverings should be kept for now.
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “We continue to take a cautious approach in relation to Covid measures in schools, and face coverings are one of a wide range of mitigation measures in place.
"Throughout the pandemic we have kept regulations under regular review, with our approach being informed by the latest available scientific and medical advice. The Education and Welsh Language Minister will be making a further announcement next week.”
Covid passes and masks to be reviewed next month
Health Minister Eluned Morgan has confirmed that the use of Covid passes and face masks will be examined during the next review of restrictions in Wales next month.
Wales is on track to revert to Alert Level Zero by the end of this week, which will mean that after January 28, the only rules in place in Wales are that everyone over the age of 11 has to wear face coverings in indoor public places, with the exception of hospitality venues.
The Covid pass to prove that you are either fully vaccinated or have tested negative on a lateral flow test will also still apply for anyone over the age of 18 attending, large events, cinemas, theatres and concert halls.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We continue to take a cautious approach in relation to Covid measures in schools, and face coverings are one of a wide range of mitigation measures in place.
"Throughout the pandemic we have kept regulations under regular review, with our approach being informed by the latest available scientific and medical advice. The Education and Welsh Language Minister will be making a further announcement next week.”
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