Nicola Sturgeon under pressure over nursery graduations
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Nicola Sturgeon is under increasing pressure to allow parents to attend nursery "graduations" this week amid fury that they are banned while thousands of football fans can gather in Glasgow.
The Tories and Labour demanded the First Minister reconsider her government's decision to stop parents attending the events, which usually see children delivering performances as they leave to start primary school.
Meghan Gallagher, a Scottish Tory MSP, wrote to Ms Sturgeon proposing they be allowed to take place outside with a cap on numbers. She said attendees could also be required to wear a face mask or take a test.
Labour raised the case of "heartbroken" mother Emma Gildea, who has been banned from attending her four-year-old daughter Remy's graduation on Friday.
Bruce Adamson, Scotland's Children's Commissioner, and the National Day Nurseries Association last week called for the guidance to be reviewed.
Parents have questioned why they are higher risk events than the Euro 2020 fan zone in Glasgow attended by up to 6,000 people a day, without a requirement they be tested.
Ms Gallagher said: “Days of celebration like nursery graduations and sports days are cherished moments and key parts of a child’s development.
“Parents and guardians are understandably furious that while 6,000 people can attend the Euro fan zone, their children will miss out on a small celebration. The inconsistency in the guidance is causing real frustration."
Ms Gildea said: "How can we possibly tell our children we are now not allowed to attend to watch their graduation which they have been practising so hard for but meanwhile there are 6,000 fans in the UEFA fan zone?
“It’s absolutely unacceptable and there is no logic to it. Please Nicola let parents and children have this moment after a difficult year.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We know these ceremonies are important to many parents and carers.
"However, our Covid-19 safety guidance seeks to minimise the number of contacts that children and staff have in ELC (early learning and childcare) settings by, for example, limiting adult visitors to those that are strictly necessary."
