Some schools have not implemented social distancing measures despite the reopening, the Oireachtas committee said.

Some schools have not implemented Covid-19 social distancing measures before students return to classrooms this week, an Oireachtas committee has heard.

Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) general secretary Michael Gillespie said the union had received reports that some schools were failing to meet public health requirements.

Mr. Gillespie told the Special Covid-19 Response Committee that his teachers “will not accept any deviation from public health guidance, including the absolute need to maintain a physical distance of not less than one meter, preferably two meters, in our schools “. “

She said: “Unfortunately, we have received reports in the last few days from schools that have not yet implemented the necessary measures.

“We reiterate once again that TUI will not allow non-compliance on this key issue.”

Mr. Gillespie said that the entire school community should observe and respect public health advice and “do everything possible to minimize the spread of Covid-19.”

He added that a policy was needed to prevent students from wearing soft face covers that may have slogans or logos that could be offensive in a school community.

Thousands of children returned to school this week for the first time since the pandemic caused schools to close their doors in March.

Representatives from the teachers’ unions appeared before the special committee on Wednesday to discuss the preparations made before the reopening and how they were coping with the new measures.

The committee was established to consider and take evidence on the State’s response to the pandemic.

The president of the National Organization of Teachers of Ireland (INTO), Mary Magner, said that teachers were angry that their safety and that of their students was being “compromised” due to overcrowded classrooms.

She told the committee that it was “practically impossible” for the primary sector to adhere to public health measures due to the problem and called on the government to reduce class sizes immediately.

“This pandemic has certainly come to the fore, and the members are quite angry regarding the large classes that we have to deal with,” he said.

“It was practically impossible to realize social distancing in some schools when there was no adequate space. There is an immediate call to reduce class sizes in line with European counterparts.

“Our members are justly angry and anxious that their health and wellness and the health and wellness and safety of their students will be compromised by the largest class sizes in the country’s crowded classrooms.”

INTO Secretary General John Boyle said classrooms had been reconfigured and stripped of foreign furniture, new sanitation stations installed, one-way systems mapped, and signs posted everywhere.

But he said a review was needed at the end of September on how the schools were coping.

“Just because schools are open doesn’t mean there is nothing more to do,” he said.

“It is imperative that a review be conducted, in late September, to assess the reopening of the schools and identify any improvements that may be necessary.”

He said that this review should be intergovernmental and include input from the HSA, HSE, the Inspectorate, and stakeholders.

“Unless we are vigilant and in a position to adapt quickly to changing circumstances, schools may be at risk of a second period of forced closure,” he said.