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NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE about school closings longer than initially planned in the mid-term break.
Despite reports that such a measure is at stake in an attempt to curb the spread of Covid-19, government sources said no decision had been made.
While the government has discussed the possibility of extending the October midterm recess, a well-placed source said there has been a discussion “like many other elements” of how to deal with the rising numbers.
“We have not decided anything on this,” they said, adding that from now on it is “all speculation.”
All the evidence would have to be analyzed, the source said, adding that it is only “one option” and that there are “different opinions” on whether schools should close for another week.
Another senior source was quick to pour cold water on the reports, insisting that any decision like that would hinge on the numbers at the end of the month.
It is understood that the focus is less on elementary school and more on students attending secondary school. It is also unclear if such an extension would mean an extra week of school absence or if it would mean a week of distance learning for students.
It is understood that to date no contacts have been made with unions or schools, as the idea was only discussed informally.
Plan to keep schools open
A spokesman for the Department of Education and Skills said today that no decision has been made to extend the schools’ midterm breaks.
“To date, the evidence shows that schools have reopened safely supported by significant investment to support all infection prevention and control measures recommended by public health authorities,” the spokesperson said.
Keeping schools open safely for children and staff is a key priority at all levels of the government’s Plan for Living with COVID-19.
From Levels 1 to 4 inclusive, schools can remain open with protective measures, and at Level 5, recommendations will be based on the situation and evidence at the time, the spokesperson said.
“In recent days, the Department of Health has informed the Department of Education and Skills that the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has carefully examined this issue.
“In recommending that schools remain open today, even in the current trajectory of the disease, NPHET has considered the national experience of reopening schools to date, including epidemiological data and information gathered through case management. and sprouts.
“The Irish experience to date supports the current international position that schools are low-risk settings for COVID-19 and are not key drivers of transmission in the community,” the spokesperson said.
They added:
Many school-related COVID-19 cases in Ireland have been found to be exposed to the disease outside of the school setting, for example at home or in a social setting.
Similarly, when close contact testing (of confirmed school-linked cases) identifies additional COVID-19 cases, many of these are found to have been exposed to the disease outside of school, the spokesperson said.
“There have been relatively few cases where HSE Public Health has strong suspicions of COVID-19 transmission within a school.
“When children develop COVID-19, the vast majority have no or very mild symptoms,” the statement said.
As of October 6, some tests have been completed in 252 schools as a result of a public health risk assessment, the spokesperson said, adding that 5,890 students and teachers have participated in massive tests.
Of the 252 schools that had massive testing, 112 additional cases have been detected in addition to the original cases.
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The spokesperson went on to state that international evidence, and the Irish experience to date, suggests that adults (teachers / staff) are not at a higher risk of Covid-19 in the school setting than in the community or home in general.
INTO General Secretary John Boyle said the union has advocated for the resources and support necessary to ensure we keep our schools open safely.
“It is imperative that when important decisions are made, education stakeholders are consulted and duly notified of the results so that we can manage any potential disruptions to our elementary schools.
“INTO is calling for an urgent review of public health councils in schools to determine the necessary level of protocols, protections, and precautionary measures needed when the level of infection is very high in a community and for clarity on the status of schools. on Level 5. ”
He said there are alternatives to closing and supporting learning remotely, such as partial opening where half of each class attends school on a rotating basis.
“Having the largest classes in the EU leaves little room for distancing in primary schools and next Tuesday the government will have the opportunity to reduce the size of our classes,” he added.
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