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It is “incomprehensible” that elementary schools remain fully open at a time when infection levels are so high in the community that indoor gatherings or events are not allowed.
That’s according to Ireland’s National Teachers Organization (INTO), which has written to Education Minister Norma Foley, in light of Nphet’s recommendation that the entire country move to Level 5 restrictions.
According to the five-tier plan for living with Covid, the Government’s intention is for schools and daycare centers to remain open at levels 1 to 4 with protective measures in place.
At level 5, recommendations for schools and day care centers should be based on the “situation and the evidence at the time.”
INTO has demanded clarity on the status of schools at level 5.
Following NPHET’s recommendation that the country may need to enter Level 5 restrictions, we have called for an immediate public health review of the status of schools at this level … (1/2)
– IN (@INTOnews) October 5, 2020
Despite consultations with the department, INTO says it has not received any clarification on what protective measures are applied in primary and special schools at the upper levels, according to John Boyle, INTO’s secretary general.
“In our opinion, it is inconceivable that the same protections (hand disinfection, hand washing, improved cleaning, ventilation, capsules and bubbles) are considered sufficient in all [Levels 1-4],” he said.
Clarity is also urgently needed around additional protective measures at level 4 schools, compared to what is currently in place at level 3, including those in Dublin and Donegal, where level 3 currently applies, added.
“Crucially, we now also need clarity on plans for elementary and special schools in areas where level five would apply.
“In our opinion, it is incomprehensible that our schools, which have the largest class sizes in Europe, remain fully open at a time when infection levels were so high in the community that indoor gatherings or events were not allowed.” .
Both second-level teacher unions have also called for urgent meetings with the Department of Education.
The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI), the largest union for second-level teachers, has also called for a safety review in schools.
“The health, safety and well-being of all members of our school communities is of the utmost importance,” said Ann Piggott, president of ASTI.
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) said its members are extremely concerned about current events and their health and safety in the workplace.
TUI seeks urgent engagement in any move towards a higher level of Covid-19 restrictions https://t.co/vA9AVcWVdd pic.twitter.com/rI9gqsvI0W
– Ire from the Teachers Union. (@TUIunion) October 5, 2020
“We have many members with serious underlying health problems and also many members who share a home with people with underlying health problems,” said Michael Gillespie, TUI general secretary.
“We require an urgent commitment as to what greater protections will apply to teachers in an escalation to Level 4 restrictions.”
“We have already sought detailed clarification on why it would be safe for schools to remain open at Level 5 if the rest of society is effectively blocked.”
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