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SCHOOLS IN THE NORTH of Ireland will offer remote learning in the first week of the new quarter after the return to classrooms was delayed due to increasing rates of Covid-19 infection.
Education Minister Peter Weir’s announcement will affect both primary and secondary schools.
For high school years 8-11, distance learning will continue throughout January.
Schools will open next week to accommodate vulnerable children and key workers.
Child care centers, including those attached to schools, preschool facilities, nurseries and special schools, will also open as usual next week.
Weir had faced increasing pressure to delay going back to school after the Christmas holidays due to worsening infection rates in Northern Ireland.
Yesterday, the region reported a record 2,143 cases in a 24-hour period.
Before Weir’s announcement, the Stormont Assembly had already been called for a hearing today to discuss the issue of schools reopening.
Weir said the exams scheduled for January would be conducted in accordance with public health councils.
He said schools would have the flexibility to offer face-to-face learning for students because they will sit for those exams if they want to.
“The Department of Education, the Department of Health, the Education Authority and the Public Health Agency have worked closely during the pandemic to maintain the education of children, reduce the risk of outbreaks and respond when they occur,” he said.
“This work has continued in recent weeks and the proposed path forward has been informed by the evidence and advice provided.
“The common goal has been to keep schools safe, prioritize children’s education, and ensure that any impact on overall transmission is as low as possible, while accepting that reopening schools on a normal basis is not sustainable.” .
Education Minister Peter Weir had been pressured to delay going back to school.
Source: Michael Cooper via PA Images
Weir continued: “While the above arrangements have been informed by the advice of the Department of Health, unfortunately the deteriorating nature of the epidemic and the risks to public health have required more substantial changes.
“Therefore, having considered the advice of the Medical Director (Dr. Michael McBride) and the Senior Scientific Advisor (Professor Ian Young), and after discussion with them, I have decided that all elementary and post-primary students will be taught in a manner remote the first week of trimester. However, the special schools and the nursery will remain open.
“All schools must provide supervised learning for vulnerable children and the children of key workers.
I must emphasize that these decisions are not made lightly as I am aware of the negative impact on children’s learning, mental health and well-being of not being in school.
“However, particularly after unprecedented levels of positive testing for Covid-19 since Christmas, and the pressure this puts on our healthcare service, it is critical that we all take public health and scientific advice into account as we wait for days. brighter ahead “.
Republic
Here, the government announced yesterday that the reopening of schools was delayed for a week due to the increase in Covid-19 cases.
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Schools will now reopen on January 11 instead of the scheduled return for January 6.
In his address to the nation, Micheál Martin said that the evidence he has seen shows the government that schools are safe places.
“All public health analyzes show that schools are safe and that schools will reopen, but with a slight delay until January 11.
“By extending the recess for three days, the new restrictions that I am announcing tonight will be in effect for more than 10 days when schools open. Families will have had the opportunity to ensure that their contacts are kept to a minimum before the children return to school. “
INTO said it welcomed the government’s “swift move” to delay going back to school.
Its general secretary, John Boyle, said his union will continue to work with the government and NPHET to ensure that staff and children remain as safe as possible.
“As we established yesterday, alarming public health data and expressed concerns regarding the new Covid-19 variation warrant this approach. We will try to work constructively with the Department of Education and NPHET to ensure that our schools reopen next month and have the necessary support and protection to remain open safely. ”
With reports from Garreth MacNamee
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