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The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) will vote its members on “a number of key issues that have arisen” since the schools reopened.
Schools have reopened in recent weeks following their closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A meeting of the union’s Central Executive Committee heard today that “ASTI members have serious concerns about the health and safety of school communities.”
Issues raised include:
- Physical distancing in schools.
- Supply of PPE.
- The definition of close contacts.
- Comprehensive testing and test response times.
- Provisions for high-risk teachers.
- IT resources for students and teachers to facilitate distance teaching / learning.
ASTI President Ann Piggott said: “The fact that high-risk teachers have been asked to work in crowded classrooms is unacceptable to us as a union.
“The safety of students and their teachers must be the priority.”
He added that: “It is unthinkable that at a time when teachers have shown great commitment to their students and to maintaining education, schools would introduce job changes that would have an additional negative impact on teachers’ working lives.
“This smells of crisis opportunism and cannot go unanswered.”
The union said in a statement that the ballot will also cover “the difficulties faced by returning teachers who are forced to work in precarious contacts and those who suffer unequal wages.”
Earlier this week, public health experts ruled out a Covid-19 outbreak in a Cork city after a fourth case of the virus was confirmed at a third school in the city.
It comes as a school closure in Kildare was recommended after a cluster of cases was confirmed at Scoil na Mainistreach in Celbridge.
However, in Ballincollig, west of Cork City, a fourth school case of the virus was confirmed last night, this time in Scoil Mhuire NS.
It comes just days after two cases of the virus were confirmed at Coláiste Choilm High School, and another case was confirmed at nearby Gaelscoil Uí Riordáin Elementary School.
In the first three cases earlier this week, a public health risk assessment was conducted and no children in any of the schools were identified as a close contact for the confirmed cases.
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