[ad_1]
The primary teachers’ union, the National Teachers Organization of Ireland, has called for teachers and everyone working in schools to be given priority to receive a Covid-19 vaccine when one is available.
John Boyle said such a move would reassure families and give teachers confidence.
The union has also said that a strong message must be sent to families who intend to take their children abroad during the Christmas holidays that they will have to restrict their movements upon their return.
Representatives from four unions representing teachers and other school workers address the Joint Committee on Education on the issue of safe operation of schools under Covid-19.
However, they have warned that some schools may be forced to close as a result of heating and ventilation problems.
Kieran Christie from ASTI told the committee that teachers are wearing their coats in the classroom and that “if a very cold period comes, many schools will have to close.”
All three teachers ‘unions have expressed concern, in pre-sent presentations to committee members, about the schools’ ability to keep classrooms well ventilated and warm over the next several months.
Studies have shown that good air circulation is vital to prevent the accumulation of Covid-19 virus particles in indoor air.
Unions say air quality gauges should be installed in all classrooms, to ensure that students and teachers are not forced to teach and learn in freezing classrooms.
The primary teachers’ union INTO has also expressed concern that a grant awarded to schools last week, to allow for minor works, will not be enough to allow them to install air monitoring systems.
INTO’s John Boyle has told the committee that while public health officials are now addressing issues facing schools more efficiently and effectively, schools in the border regions continue to encounter difficulties.
Secretary General John Boyle is expected to say that principals in these regions need additional support due to “a disconnect” between the HSE and its Northern Irish equivalent, the HSC.
He said that school principals also needed support on the weekends. Complaining about a teacher shortage, Boyle cited the case of a school that was forced to try to find substitutes recently over a weekend because 16 of its teachers had been told to isolate themselves.
He said schools were “wandering around” looking for replacement coverage and about 1,000 elementary schools were scrambling to find coverage.
The teachers’ unions also warn that additional funds are needed for the cleanup. INTO has told the committee that the additional funds awarded to schools are totally inadequate and will be spent at Christmas.
The union representing special needs assistants, Fórsa, has said it remains concerned about the lack of clarity regarding the provision of PPE to school personnel, and specifically to the SNAs and bus escorts accompanying the children. children with disabilities in public transport.
The union is concerned that many of these workers are not provided with adequate protective masks. Workers who provide intimate physical care to students have the right to be provided with masks, but Fórsa says this has led to a “ridiculous” situation in which an SNA who works alongside a student for more than 6 hours only has Right to basic grade mask protection when taking the student to the bathroom.
ASTI and TUI have welcomed a new inspection regime to monitor the safe implementation of Covid-19 prevention measures in schools.
TUI has requested that the inspections, currently in the testing phase, be implemented throughout the country. The union believes that a minority of schools do not adhere to public health measures.
The inspections are a joint initiative between the Department of Education and the Health and Safety Authority.
[ad_2]