Petition · past parliament
Use staff to help in the event of a schools and college closure due to COVID-19
Rejected
14 signatures
What the petition asks
In the event of the schools and colleges closing we could utilise staff from those organisations to help the elderly, or use their skills to support the combined effort against COVID-19. Staff in colleges and schools could have skills in nursing, engineering and a range of other industries.
I am a lecturer and would happily support the country in the event of a closure of schools and colleges, as opposed to being sat at home. Even if it is to college prescriptions, coordinate shopping deliveries or whatever else will help the UK.
Why it was rejected
It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.
The duties of staff employed by schools and colleges are a matter for the individual schools and colleges that employ them, and not the Government or Parliament.
You may also be aware that while most schools and colleges have closed to most students, they are still being required to make provision for the children of key workers and the most vulnerable children.
You could start a petition calling on the Government to seek volunteers from sectors that are currently underemployed, such as the educational sector, to help with the response against coronavirus.
The Government has already published guidance on how individuals and businesses can volunteer to help:
Information for individuals on how to help safely: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-how-to-help-safely--2/coronavirus-how-to-help-safely
Information on offering coronavirus (COVID-19) support from your business: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-support-from-business
You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:
NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
UK Government website: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
You can read NHS tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips
You may also be aware that while most schools and colleges have closed to most students, they are still being required to make provision for the children of key workers and the most vulnerable children.
You could start a petition calling on the Government to seek volunteers from sectors that are currently underemployed, such as the educational sector, to help with the response against coronavirus.
The Government has already published guidance on how individuals and businesses can volunteer to help:
Information for individuals on how to help safely: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-how-to-help-safely--2/coronavirus-how-to-help-safely
Information on offering coronavirus (COVID-19) support from your business: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-support-from-business
You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:
NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
UK Government website: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
You can read NHS tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips
Timeline
| 17 Mar 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 6 Apr 2020 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
14
Status
Rejected
Rejected
6 Apr 2020
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.