BBC to roll out daily education programming following school closures

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 06 January 2021

The BBC announces plans to broadcast educational programming on BBC Two and CBBC following the news that schools across the UK must close.

The BBC has announced what it is terming "the biggest education offer in its history" following the news that schools around the UK are closing due to coronavirus.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson put England into a new national lockdown on Monday, meaning that schools are expected to remain closed until the February half-term at the earliest.

In response, the BBC has announced from next Monday, January 11, the CBBC channel will air a three-hour block of programming for primary school children every weekday from 9am.

BBC Two will air at least two hours of programming a day aimed at GCSE students, including Shakespeare adaptations and shows in the genres of history, science and factual.

The BBC Red Button service - also available via Sky channel 981 - will air BBC Bitesize programming for primary and secondary pupils, while a range of content will be available on-demand through iPlayer.

BBC director-general Tim Davie said: "Ensuring children across the UK have the opportunity to continue to follow the appropriate core parts of their nation's school curriculum has been a key priority for the BBC throughout this past year.

"Education is absolutely vital - the BBC is here to play its part and I'm delighted that we have been able to bring this to audiences so swiftly."

Oliver Dowden, culture secretary, added: "The BBC has helped the nation through some of the toughest moments of the last century, and for the next few weeks it will help our children learn whilst we stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.

"This will be a lifeline to parents and I welcome the BBC playing its part."

GCSE and A-Level exams, or their equivalents, have already been cancelled in three of the four nations this year, although pupils in Northern Ireland are still expected to sit their exams as it stands.

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