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THE TEACHERS UNION of Ireland (TUI) has said it never came up with the idea of schools closing early for the Christmas holidays.
Speaking to the Oireachtas Education Committee today, the union’s general secretary, Michael Gillespie, said the idea was first raised by politicians and that there was a petition about it, but that the union did not defend it.
In recent days, the idea of closing schools for the Christmas holidays on Friday, December 18 instead of Tuesday, December 22, was raised, and the TUI said it would be a “unique measure.”
Speaking today, Gillespie distanced the union from the proposal.
“We were responding to the inquiries that came, I think it was initially raised by a political party here, and then there was a massive petition about it,” he said.
TUI’s response was that it deserved consideration. We never demanded or proposed it, which seems to be what people had been citing. We answered press questions and said it deserved consideration.
“And the reason we said it deserved consideration is that Monday and Tuesday are not high education days,” Gillespie added.
They would be days when traditionally a lot of things would have happened in the occult curriculum, things like shows, maybe religious ceremonies, depending on the school.
The union leader said some of the union members themselves were “upset” by the proposal, but others said it deserved consideration. TUI, he said, “didn’t go beyond that.”
Cold weather
The committee also said that some schools could be forced to close during the winter months if the weather turns too cold due to ventilation and heating problems.
Kieran Christie, secretary general of the Irish Secondary Teachers Association (ASTI), said teachers and students have been wearing their coats in class to stay warm since the colder weather started.
He said that there is a need to improve hygiene and ventilation facilities, and the union “remained concerned” about the differential ability of schools to implement key aspects of the Covid-19 response plan.
“As the colder weather has started, keeping many classrooms warm, ensuring they are adequately ventilated, has been a big problem in schools,” he said.
Teachers and students are there in their coats in many cases. If a period of cold weather hits in the coming weeks or months, many schools will likely have to close while it lasts.
He also said there is a lack of communication protocols in schools where a Covid-19 outbreak occurs, which needs to be addressed, adding that schools also need to be prioritized for rapid testing and tracing.
Christie was one of four representatives from unions for teachers and other school workers who appeared before the Education Committee on Thursday to discuss the issues affecting schools during the pandemic.
Gillespie also said that many second-level school buildings “are not fit for purpose.”
He called for a full audit of each school to establish and quantify the resources needed to keep them open.
“TUI asks the Department of Education to follow the advice of the HPSC (Health Protection Surveillance Center) and install air quality meters in every classroom; This will ensure that students and teachers are not forced to teach and learn in icy classrooms. ” he said.
In the medium term, and to prepare our educational system for the future, we must re-conceptualize the design of the school. The current crisis has demonstrated the importance of adequate infrastructure.
The committee was also told that teachers should be given priority for the Covid-19 vaccine when it becomes available.
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Irish National Teachers Organization (INTO) Secretary General John Boyle said the government should have provided a free flu vaccine to all teachers, and the union “insists” that when a Covid vaccine is available -19, all those who work in “Prioritized” schools.
He also said that the government must send a strong message to families traveling abroad over Christmas that children will have to restrict their movements when they return in January according to public health advice before returning to school.
High risk
TDs and senators also heard calls from unions for the government to undertake a new review of the requirement that high-risk teachers attend schools during the pandemic.
Christie said she was “dismayed” that pregnant teachers and other vulnerable staff and students are required to attend classes.
“In every school there are teachers and students who are vulnerable in terms of their health status or particular personal circumstances, including pregnancy,” he said.
ASTI is dismayed that many of these members have had to attend schools and no remote or reasonable accommodations have been put in place to allow them to participate in their work or studies in a more appropriate setting.
“Teachers are fundamental workers in the educational system. It is essential that schools are safe spaces for teachers and students: health, safety and well-being must be the priority of school management and the Department of Education and Skills ”.
– With reports by PA
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