Schools in Wales will remain shut until at least January 18, the Welsh Government has announced.

Primary and secondary schools in Swansea, and the rest of Wales, will be moving to online learning until at least January 18 following growing concern for the rising cases of coronavirus Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, confirmed.

However, schools and colleges will remain open for children of critical workers and vulnerable learners, as well as those who need to complete essential exams or assessments.

Swansea City Council had originally arranged for pupils to return to face-to-face learning on January 11. Arrangements were in place for online learning to take place from January 6.

The Council said this original delay in face-to-face learning was to allow time to consider updated information about Covid-19, including the new variant.

In a statement, Ms Williams said:

"It is now clear that a national approach of online learning for the first fortnight of term is the best way forward.

"We know that schools and colleges have been safe and secure environments throughout the pandemic.

"However, we also know that education settings being open can contribute to wider social mixing outside the school and college environment.

"We are confident that schools and colleges have online learning provision in place for this immediate period."

What the Education Minister says

Kirsty Williams used a Twitter thread to clarify issues around the re-opening of education establishments. Here are some key points:

• Schools remain open for the children of key workers and vulnerable children.
• Scheduled exams and formal assessments can still go ahead, and learners can travel to their schools or colleges to undertake them.
• Special schools should remain open, if possible, to support vulnerable learners.
• All childcare settings can remain open, but should continue to take account of the Welsh Government's guidance on safe operations.
• Welsh Government has provided funding to local authorities to continue the provision of free school meals for eligible children. Contact Swansea City Council to find out more.
• University students should not return to face-to-face learning until they are notified by their university that they can do so.