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The organization representing the national schools has written to the Government asking them to consider a delay in the reopening of schools after the Christmas holidays.
In an open letter, John Boyle, Secretary General of the Irish National Teachers Organization (INTO), asked Education Minister Norma Foley that Monday 11 January should be the earliest date for children to start the new term. .
Mr. Boyle stated that this should be considered “for public health reasons to ensure safer schools for students, staff and their families.”
The cabinet will meet on Wednesday to discuss its response to the growing Covid cases.
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The letter reads: “I believe educational partners would support changes to the standardized school year arrangements for public health reasons in order to ensure safer schools for students, staff and their families. INTO remains strongly committed to supporting our 42,000 members in safe workplaces as they strive to teach and support the well-being of their students in school, where children undoubtedly benefit greatly. However, it is now very clear that the ability of schools to Normal function is likely to be seriously impaired due to the increased numbers of staff and students who will need to isolate themselves and / or restrict movement in the weeks after Christmas. “
INTO outlined a series of issues that, in its opinion, the Government should consider before making a decision on the most appropriate date to reopen schools next month and they do;
- The number of positive cases identified as a result of mass testing in schools increased steadily this month, as judged by HSE reports of mass testing for schools and child care centers (weeks 49-51). As we await the week 52 report, we are aware that public health risk assessments in schools have continued beyond Christmas Day and that the number of staff members testing positive in elementary and special schools has increased in recent weeks.
- The number of confirmed cases has grown at an alarming rate in the past fortnight, with nearly 700 school-age children testing positive in the fourteen days before schools closed for the Christmas break.
- In Ireland, a new strain of Covid-19 has been identified, which is reportedly 70% more transmissible and may pose an increased risk among children.
- The recent tripling in the number of referrals for Covid-19 testing in Ireland and GPs reported a 65% increase in referrals in the last week.
- A greater number of people hospitalized due to Covid-19 than at any time since mid-May.
- The acute shortage of substitute teachers in certain parts of the country, INTO confirmed to his department officials in mid-December.
The letter then argues that an extension of school closings until the end of next week would give school boards time to implement improved measures before the start of the quarter.
INTO proposes that these new measures should include;
- Supports for the largest number of students who will not be able to return to school for a few weeks.
- The hiring of substitutes to cover staff members who will be absent for several weeks if they are considered to be close contacts of confirmed cases or who tested positive during the Christmas close.
- The supply of extra PPE and disinfectant liquids, where school supplies are running low.
- An opportunity for BOMs to review their Covid-19 response plans, something INTO believes will be much needed when the infection rate in the community is growing exponentially.
The letter states that the aforementioned proposals are “designed to minimize disruption to students and their families while giving schools much needed time to implement safety measures and improved supports.”
INTO believes that the three-day delay “would also provide the government an opportunity to launch an intense public awareness campaign on the importance of safe schools, which was promised to this union in recent stakeholder consultation meetings.”
The full letter can be found here.
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