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Health authorities should examine the potential to reopen primary schools on a limited basis, such as one day a week, in the summer.
Health Minister Simon Harris said authorities will closely monitor the experience of other countries such as Denmark, which reopened its primary schools last week.
He warned that any decision regarding the easing of current restrictions will be made on the basis of public health advice.
However, he said, on a personal level, he saw merit in partially reopening elementary schools if allowed by the public health council. High schools appear to be closed for the remainder of the academic year.
Such a step would be positive for the mental health and well-being of students and parents, he said.
“The issue of reopening schools is an open question,” he told The Irish Times on Sunday.
“The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) will consider all issues related to reducing restrictions and will follow public health advice.”
The current public health restrictions are in effect until May 5, at which stage they will be reviewed.
Any relaxation of the measures will depend on public compliance and the advice of experts in public health.
It is understood that if primary schools are partially reopened, they are more likely to take place in June and would be subject to social distancing measures.
In Denmark, for example, students’ desks are separated and children must wash their hands every hour. At recess, children can only go out in small groups.
Mr. Harris also explained his personal views of why opening schools would be a positive development for children in an interview with the Sunday Independent.
“I would like to see a situation where our schools could return or at least partially return. Now I cannot guarantee the timeline for this, but in terms of asking me the hierarchy of things, I would like to see a return that it would be one of them, “he told the newspaper.
“That would be one of them because I think, for the mental health and well-being of the students and the parents, imagine if the children could go to school, even one day a week.” [to] get the books, meet the teacher, get the homework for the week.
“From a socially safe and secure point of view, meet your friends and then go home. That would provide a respite for families and information and I think that would help. “
In response to Mr. Harris ‘comments, the National Teachers’ Organization of Ireland (INTO) said that any decision to reopen primary schools should be led by public health councils.
“Commitment to workers and their unions must take place before any decision,” said an INTO spokesperson.
“The health and safety of teachers, students and parents must be guaranteed before our schools reopen. We should look closely at the small number of jurisdictions where some schools have opened and try to avoid repeating any mistakes that may have been made elsewhere. “
The spokesperson added that the elementary teachers were ready to continue facilitating the continuity of learning remotely since Monday, after the Easter holidays.
Meanwhile, school managers, teacher unions, and other educational partners meet weekly with the Department of Education between now and the end of May to discuss issues related to student support and state testing.
Sources say the possibility of secondary schools opening later than normal in September and on a phased basis has been discussed.
This could allow classes to attend for part of the week and continue remote learning for the rest of the week.
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