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The way has been cleared for thousands of students with special needs to return to elementary and special schools starting next Thursday, January 21.
The Department of Education issued a guidance for principals tonight after detailed discussions today with educational partners to finalize the arrangements.
The reopening of schools has generally been delayed until February 1 at the earliest, and this package aims to support the most vulnerable students, who suffered the most during the first closure, last spring.
It allows all students from special classes in mainstream schools, such as those serving children with autism and hearing impairment, to return to the classroom full time starting Thursday.
Meanwhile, the 124 special schools can operate at 50% capacity, which means that students will attend on alternate days. This is in recognition of the significant level of staff and students at these schools and the agreement aims to reduce the total number on site at any one time.
Schools may also bring back students with significant additional needs who attend general classes in elementary schools, although it may not be possible to provide them with the full curriculum.
The guide says that it is important that the students who are given priority to return to school are those with the highest level of need.
After serving children with the most significant level of special needs, schools have the option of opening up to other students, who are educationally disadvantaged, if they have the ability.
“While the clear priority is to support school education for children with significant additional needs, schools also have the flexibility to support vulnerable children,” the guide said.
It also sets out detailed advice on attendance arrangements for teachers and special needs aides (SNA) and advises that school transportation services for the students involved will resume on January 21.
Irish National Teachers Organization (INTO) Secretary General John Boyle described the meeting as “constructive” and said they had ensured clarity for our members on a number of issues, from transportation to childcare and up-to-date public health advice.
He said public health experts supporting the school sector and deputy chief medical officer Dr. Ronan Glynn would host a webinar for special education staff early next week.
“This will provide reassurance to our members that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure the safety of all involved in this interim support program for children with complex special educational needs.
Boyle said high-level meetings were also taking place on prioritizing special education staff for the immunization program.
He added that “while supporting the continuity of distance learning is far from ideal, we hope to be able to return to our classrooms fully, but it remains to be seen if the public health landscape improves. enough to allow resumption of classroom learning. “
Online editors
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