Parents in Kent are debating whether they should send kids back to school tomorrow after the Christmas break as politicians and teaching unions put out conflicting views.

Kentonline readers are blasting Prime Minister Boris Johnson's 'clear as mud' advice that a return to classrooms is safe - a stark contradiction to his own government's stricter Tier 4 rules and cancellation of Christmas.

Despite the rapidly spreading mutant Covid strain coursing through London and the South east supposedly being easier for children to contract, Mr Johnson said this morning there is "no doubt" primary pupils should return to schools because "the benefits of education are so huge."

This is against the advice of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) telling the government to keep kids off school to avoid transmission.

But his Mr Johnson's newest stance has been rejected by the National Education Union which has advises its members in primary schools that it is unsafe to return to work tomorrow.

Readers on social media are furious that families had to stay separated at Christmas, yet parents are being told to send their kids to mix with 30 others in a classroom. Some have vowed they're not risking their children's health, and are calling on others to stick together to show momentum.

Vicki Louise said: "If it isn’t safe in certain places it’s not safe full stop. We are tier 4 and was one of the worst places in the UK yet we are expected to send our children back tomorrow.

"I for one won’t be as I’ve currently got long Covid Pneumonia, seven weeks after being struck down initially.

"With our hospitals full I’ll do what I see best not what Boris advises."

Sammy Heath/Michael Goodwin said on Facebook: "Do you remember when he said eat out to help out was safe? Lol ok Boris!

"My kids are staying home. Protect the NHS. Protect the most vulnerable."

June Johnson said: "It's a joke isn't it? How can they just shut some schools they put us as high rate but leave schools open? Hopefully parents will stick together and keep children at home, then they will have to do something - hopefully by shutting all schools."

"We're told we cannot see family but it’s okay to stand up in a class of 30 children. Doesn’t make sense..."

Many blame the way children socialise out of school for making education establishments "inherently not safe".

Graham Adams said: "Schools may well be safe but it's the way kids behave out of school and the way some parents don't keep them safe from catching the virus. So schools are therefore inherently not safe, despite what measures they take."

On Twitter Natalie Cherry said: "Teachers should refuse to teach. Told we cannot see family but it’s okay to stand up in a class of 30 children. Doesn’t make sense. I stand by teachers."

And Patricia Rudkins tweeted: "Despite the fact that certain areas where schools will be open have a higher Covid-19 rate than others where they are closed? Ridiculous lack of proper organisation!"

But Dave Sinfield said: "There’s no further proof required that schools are unsafe than Johnson claiming that they are safe.

Speaking on the Andrew Marr show this morning Mr Johnson said: "Schools are safe.

"The risk to young people is very, very small indeed. The risk to staff is very small."

Cllr Gough tweeted today that he had supported Kent schools in staying open but he added: "Yet most schools in #Kent will under government rules have a delayed start; the public health justification for treating 4 Districts (with still high infection rates) differently does not stack up."

The Government announced earlier this week that the majority of secondary school pupils would learn remotely for an extra week, returning to school on Monday, January 18 instead of Monday, January 11 as planned.

Communities union ACORN tweeted that it stands with @NEUnion and other unions.

It tweeted: "The Government has not and will not keep us safe from COVID.

"Reopening schools now will further spread the virus, make our communities less safe and will mean more people may die.

"Education workers should stay home on Monday! #schoolclosures

Read more: All the latest news from Kent