Gavin Williamson insists schools are safe for children, as some parents continue to worry about the coronavirus risk.
One former Conservative minister told Sky News the response had been a"mess" with a series of U-turns that were"wholly avoidable".
"There is no enthusiasm about going back to parliament… some of us spend our time gambling on how long before the next U-turn happens", said the senior Tory MP.Teachers and union leaders rounded on the Department for Education on Saturday for issuing new guidance on schools days before pupils were due to return.
Officials are confident that a vast majority of schools in England will be open on Tuesday though, saying they are in a far better place than June when an initial attempt to restart education stalled.
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