THE way ahead towards an August 12 return to school was outlined in an online presentation which involved Cowdenbeath MSP Annabelle Ewing on Friday.

Ms Ewing participated in a virtual update meeting with senior Fife Council Education officials.

Speaking following the meeting, Ms Ewing said: “I was pleased to be able to receive an update from senior officials from Fife Council’s Education Service. There has clearly been a huge amount of planning work going on and I really do commend the efforts of all involved.

“That planning is going ahead on the basis that we are looking at August 11 as the date schools go back – as an in-service day - and all pupils, primary and secondary, returning to school on the 12th.

“The plan for how that return to school will be handled must be signed off by the National Education recovery group before the end of July".

The MSP added: “Everything is, of course, dependent on being in accordance with the most up to date public health data and I stressed the need and importance of keeping in ongoing contact with parents who also need to make their own plans around the return to school.

"I will continue to monitor developments in the weeks ahead.”