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The primary teachers’ union, INTO, wants the government to delay the reopening of schools after the Christmas holidays.
The union has said schools should remain closed until Monday, January 11 at the earliest due to the “alarming increase” in Covid cases.
INTO Secretary General John Boyle sent a letter on the matter to Education Minister Norma Foley tonight and wants it discussed at tomorrow’s cabinet meeting.
He said he believed educational partners, such as teachers’ unions and school administrators, would support changes in arrangements for public health reasons to ensure safer schools for students, staff and their families.
Mr. Boyle said INTO remains firmly committed to supporting its 42,000 members in safe workplaces as they strive to teach and support the well-being of students in school.
“However, it is now becoming very clear that the ability of schools to operate normally is likely to be seriously impaired due to the increased numbers of staff and students who will need to isolate themselves and / or restrict movement in the weeks after Christmas. “
The secretary-general said that the government must take into account a number of issues when making an informed judgment on the most appropriate date to reopen schools next month.
These included:
- The number of positive cases identified as a result of mass testing in schools increased steadily this month.
- That the number of confirmed cases has grown at “an alarming rate” in the last fortnight with nearly 700 elementary school-age children testing positive in the 24 days prior to the closing of schools for the Christmas holidays.
- That the new strain of Covid-19, which is reportedly 70% more transmissible and may pose an increased risk among children, has now been identified in Ireland.
- The recent tripling in the number of referrals for Covid-19 testing in Ireland with GPs reporting a 65% increase in referrals in the last week.
- A greater number of people hospitalized due to Covid-19 than at any time since mid-May.
- An acute shortage of substitute teachers in certain parts of the country.
“That an extension of school closings until the end of next week would give school boards (BOM) time to implement improved measures before the start of the quarter.
“Our measured proposal to delay the start of the spring term by a minimum of three school days is designed to minimize disruption to students and their families, while giving schools much needed time to implement safety and security measures. improved props, “Boyle said. said.
“The additional time would also provide the government an opportunity to launch an intensive public awareness campaign on the importance of safe schools, which was promised to this union at recent stakeholder consultation meetings.”
He suggested that the government would also be “in a better position by the end of next week to take The emerging scientific evidence regarding new Covid-19 variants accounts for what could possibly be within the next seven days. “
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