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Teachers unions have raised questions about the possibility of schools remaining open during the Level 5 restrictions, as they have called for safety checks.
While the country awaits a government decision, the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI), the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) and the National Teachers Organization of Ireland (INTO) have called for clarity on the protection available to their members.
In particular, INTO described as “incomprehensible” that primary schools remain fully open when infection levels are high enough to rule out indoor gatherings.
It has called for an immediate public health review on the status of the schools at Level 5 and the union has written to Education Minister Norma Foley on Monday demanding an urgent meeting.
INTO Secretary General John Boyle told the minister that “to date, in consultations with stakeholders, we have not received any clarification on what protection measures would be applied in primary and special schools in [the first] four different levels “.
Mr. Boyle noted that Tier 5 recommendations for schools and day care centers should be based on the precise situation at the time.
“The evidence to date is that by the end of the first month of the school year 187 schools had completed testing as a result of the public health risk assessment and that there were 59 confirmed cases in elementary and special schools,” he said.
INTO has said that clarity is required on the security measures available at both Level 4 and Level 5 of the plan.
“In our opinion, it is incomprehensible that our schools, which have the largest class sizes in Europe, remain fully open at a time when infection levels were so high in the community that indoor gatherings or events were not allowed. “Boyle said.
“It is not acceptable that teachers appear to be exposed to a higher risk of infection compared to citizens and workers in general.”
In a statement Monday morning, ASTI President Ann Piggott said teachers are concerned about the implications of the Level 5 restrictions and that, if they are implemented, a “review of the medical and related guidance being implemented in schools “to see if it is safe for schools to remain open.
“We wrote to the Minister of Education and Skills this morning to request that she initiate a review immediately,” said Piggott. “We will also request that second-level stakeholders meet to discuss all associated issues.
“The health, safety, and well-being of all members of our school communities is of the utmost importance.”
There is a similar concern at TUI, which has sought an urgent engagement with the Department of Education and Skills.
Secretary-General Michael Gillespie said his members are now “extremely concerned” by developments.
“We have already sought detailed clarification on why it would be safe for schools to remain open at Level 5 if the rest of society is effectively blocked,” he said.
“We have a number of justified and important issues in this regard and they need to be addressed urgently.”
TUI has pointed out that many of its members suffer from serious health problems or live with people who suffer from them. She has also asked for more clarity on what the Level 4 restrictions would mean for schools in terms of additional protective measures.
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