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The government has been forced to turn plans 180 degrees to allow Leaving Cert students to return to school next week.
Eaving Cert students will now study remotely alongside all other students until January 31st. Then the topic will be reviewed.
Plans to reopen the special schools next week will also be canceled.
The move comes after the Irish Secondary Teachers Association instructed members not to attend classes next week.
ASTI had instructed its members not to cooperate with government plans to reopen schools for in-person teaching for Leaving Cert students next Monday.
The union says it will only participate in remote teaching starting next Monday and has said the decision is based on health and safety concerns.
This follows an emergency ASTI meeting today to discuss plans to reopen schools on Monday and Leaving certified students are expected to be in class three days a week.
Speaking after the meeting, ASTI President Ann Piggott said: “ASTI has repeatedly sought sufficient assurance that schools are safe for students and teachers at this time, in the context of the new variant of Covid-19 circulating. in the community and the alarmingly high numbers.
“We engaged with the Department of Education and with public health officials today. Unfortunately, the guarantees we are seeking have not been received. “
The National Organization of Teachers of Ireland (INTO) said it did not want to have to oppose the partial reopening of schools and special classes “but we must be able to work together to adequately respond to the public health challenges we face.”
The union said that “consultation and compromise were” everything. “
He added that its members “will seek to support their students from Monday with passion and determination.”
Education Minister Norma Foley confirmed that schools will be closed for all classes starting Monday.
“I regret to announce that despite confirmation from Public Health that schools remain safe, children in special schools and special classes and Leaving Certificate students will not extend in-person learning,” said the Minister. Foley.
“My Department has engaged with unions and public health officials to maintain on-site learning for this vulnerable group of students.
“I remain firmly convinced that this period of time is crucial to the mental well-being of all children with special needs.
“I also felt it was the right thing to do to extend classroom instruction to our Leaving Certificate students who are approaching a turning point in their testing year.
“Unfortunately, I have no choice but to stop the limited reopening on Monday to allow for greater engagement with all those interested in education.”
The plan to allow Leaving Cert students to attend school three days a week has faced widespread opposition from teachers, parents, students, and special needs aides.
Secondary school principals pleaded with the government to reverse its decision on the partial reopening of the schools, as they have “grave concerns” about the safety of staff and students.
Medical director Dr. Tony Holohan informed the government that the total reopening of schools “would constitute a very significant additional risk” as the country fights against an unprecedented level of transmission of Covid-19 in the community.
In a letter to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly dated January 5, Dr. Holohan noted that data received by the National Public Health Emergency Team shows that schools are a “safe environment.”
However, given the current epidemiological situation, “significant levels of mobility and related activity” generated by the reopening of schools would be too risky, he said.
Online editors
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