Kent county councillors of all political colours have slammed the government's "nonsensical" position over school closures.

Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Greens have joined the Conservatives in opposing a decision to allow primary schools in parts of east Kent to reopen this week.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said yesterday that parents should "absolutely" send their children to school in Thanet, Canterbury, Folkestone and Dover because the risk of infection was "very small" in education establishments.

But Kent County Council (KCC) leader Roger Gough (Con) has called for a shutdown of schools in all 13 districts in the county, saying it is difficult to "justify" the "differential treatment" as all of Kent faces tight Covid tier restrictions.

Opposition groups at County Hall have sided with their main political rival as one of the largest Conservative local authorities in England, which holds 65 seats out of 81 in total, takes a public stand against its own Tory government.

Cllr Trudy Dean (Lib Dem), KCC opposition education spokesman, said: "Parents and schools are clearly very angry and scared at receiving late, conflicting and nonsensical advice from a panic-stricken government.

"Scientists, teachers and hospital staff are all saying all schools need to stay closed until they are safe.

'Parents and schools are clearly very angry and scared at receiving late, conflicting and nonsensical advice from a panic-stricken government...'

"That cannot happen until enough vulnerable people and key workers have been vaccinated to allow a return to normal life to even begin."

More than half a million doses of the Oxford-AstraZenca Covid jab have been made ready for use as thousands of people have received the Pfizer vaccine.

Labour councillors say the rules are "shambolic" as several primary schools have closed to all pupils, except key worker and vulnerable children, including Hampton in Herne Bay, Aycliffe in Dover and Dame Janet in Ramsgate.

Ashford county councillor Dara Farrell, KCC's Labour group leader, said: "The fact new year school return dates are being postponed, indefinitely, in many cases, is a damning indictment of this government’s response.

"In the summer we were told a functioning test and trace system would be vital in ensuring schools could open safely. Five months on and billions of pounds of taxpayers' money later, we’re still waiting.

"Students, their parents and teachers need a clear plan from the Education Secretary to get this situation under control."

Margate county councillor Barry Lewis (Lab), who is also a school governor at Drapers Mill Primary School and a member of KCC's public health committee, said Thanet head teachers had "overruled" the Department for Education.

He said: "Boris Johnson has not just lost the public's confidence but also that of the Conservative grassroots. This is a slap in the face to the Prime Minister."

Meanwhile, KCC Green Party leader Cllr Martin Whybrow says Kent schools should move to "remote learning" as quickly as possible.

The Folkestone and Hythe member said: "The government should have provided disadvantaged students with the laptops and connectivity they needed earlier in the year.

"This failure must be rectified as soon as possible so that access to education is maintained to the best possible standards while ensuring safety for all."

A head teacher from Thanet has echoed the view saying the government lacks grip on the current situation.

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