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Education Minister Norma Foley will seek to keep all special schools open while the rest of the secondary and primary education sector is expected to be closed.
Independent.ie, chair of a Cabinet Committee meeting on Covid-19, learned that Ms Foley will push to ensure that special schools and special classes within regular schools remain open while the rest of the sector is closed. .
The move aims to ease the burden on parents of children with special needs, while ensuring that students have a much-needed educational outlet during the third national lockdown.
However, all other schools are expected to close for the remainder of the month.
Medical Director Tony Holohan is due to report to the Cabinet Committee this afternoon. Government leaders and their ministers will make a decision on how long schools will be closed. Tomorrow the Cabinet will make a final decision.
However, a senior government source said today that it is increasingly likely that they will remain closed until the end of the month.
Ms. Foley will insist at the meeting that special schools must remain open and her department is implementing plans to facilitate this.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed that the government will discuss proposals to keep schools closed until the end of January.
Speaking on News at One on RTÉ Radio 1, he said that both he and CMO Dr. Tony Holohan are of the opinion that there is a “problem” with “a million people on the move” when the transmission of the virus in the community is so tall.
He repeated that schools are safe.
“We have to err on the side of caution,” he said.
“It is about the mobilization of a million people in the context of a very high level of disease in the community,” he said.
Mr. Martin said that school closings will be reviewed again on January 30th.
Earlier, Children’s Ombudsman Dr. Niall Muldoon urged Cabinet subcommittee members and NPHET to consider a wide range of options around children’s education prior to their meeting.
“The simple general closure of all schools, as happened in March of last year, is not a viable option due to the massive impact it will have on our children and their families,” he said.
“Without a doubt, children with disabilities and children from disadvantaged backgrounds will again be disproportionately affected by the Covid -19 school closures, so any long-term measures to reduce transmission in society must consider the substantial negative impact on these groups. “
The OCO said it has written to the government multiple times about developing more nuanced options around closing and opening schools during the pandemic.
“Education is about more than learning, it is about developing children’s personalities, talents and abilities to reach their highest potential while facilitating mental health, play and recreation,” said Dr. Muldoon .
“I urge all these decision makers to see how they can generate a nuanced response and make it easier for our vulnerable children to attend school, as well as how to adequately support those involved in learning at home.”
OCO Director of Research Nuala Ward explained why schools remain vital for many disabled children and children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“For people with special needs, the safety, routine and discipline of school are more than education, it offers them a path to grow and learn socially, which is vital to reaching their full potential,” he said.
“It is vital that the government be reminded of the enormous negative impact the latest closure had on this cohort of children and their families. Regression on many fronts is guaranteed if their education is closed again ”.
“For children living in poverty and at a socio-economic disadvantage, such as travelers and Roma children, as well as children in direct provision and many homeless children in family centers and emergency accommodation, the closure of schools to Long term means the inequalities they already face will increase enormously. “
He went on to say that for many of them, the first block has already had an effect on their educational, social and behavioral development.
“What is needed now is a concerted effort to ensure that the country’s most vulnerable children can attend their schools in a safe way for themselves, their teachers and caregivers.”
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