BBC may screen lessons if swine flu shuts schools

Unprecedented measures to keep the education system going if the swine flu pandemic shuts Britain's 25,000 primary schools are being considered by the Government.

The Cabinet's crisis planning committee is looking at forcing the BBC to clear its schedules to broadcast education programming. Another option is using "home teaching" software at primary schools. The Department for Schools expects schools to open normally in September but emergency planners believe a Plan B should be in place.

Under a clause in the BBC's operating agreement, underpinned by its Royal Charter, ministers have the legal right to force it to "broadcast or distribute any announcement or other programme". Some senior BBC figures say this was only intended to allow the broadcast of announcements during a national emergency such as a nuclear attack.

One source said: "Taking control of our schedule would be tantamount to taking control of the BBC... it would destroy our reputation as an impartial broadcaster." The home teaching option, which relies on broadband, allows teachers to give lessons remotely. Pupils would have access to an educational social networking site that acted as a "real-time white board," according to a source involved with the project. It would allows video communication with teachers and give pupils access to learning materials.

The software is in place in about 450 schools and could be rolled out in time for the start of term. The emphasis will be on primary schools as most secondary schools already have sophisticated IT systems. A Department for Schools spokesman said: "We will release more details if and when they are required."

So far the chief medical officer for England Sir Liam Donaldson has said school closures are unlikely.