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Schools are expected to reopen normally on January 6 despite the government’s decision to reimpose Level 5 restrictions, the Taoiseach said.
Micheál Martin said that according to the advice of public health authorities, schools, early education and child care services will remain open and will be considered essential.
The third tier will resume with most online classes with exemptions for essential on-site activities.
However, speaking at a news conference Monday night, state medical director Tony Holohan said “there is no guarantee” about the schools reopening. When asked if a sharp rise in infection levels could delay the reopening of the plans, Dr. Holohan replied that officials are keeping the matter under review.
“We have had core objectives as part of the measures we have implemented throughout this year, particularly in recent months to try to protect essential public services of education, child care and health services for those who need them. than Covid, ” Dr. Holohan said.
“As a country, we have been able to do that and we have been able to maintain those services during that period of time compared to the rest of Europe practically.
Dr. Holohan cautioned that “there is no guarantee” that schools will remain open if transmission of the virus “reaches a certain level.”
Many schools across the country have sent students’ books home in recent days as a precautionary measure in case of a delay in reopening for the new year. The Department of Education issued emergency remote teaching guidelines to high schools late last week, although officials say this was merely an update on the previous guide. A similar document was distributed to primary schools in November.
A spokesperson for Education Minister Norma Foley said at the time that schools will reopen as planned.
What about Northern Ireland?
However, in the north, many secondary school pupils will switch to remote learning for a period from the end of January, Northern Ireland’s Education Minister Peter Weir said.
While schools will reopen normally for face-to-face learning, online education will work temporarily for students who do not take exams in years eight to ten, the equivalent of years one to three, beginning January 25. for at least two weeks.
Elementary schools, special schools, and high school students in exam years will remain in the school.
In Scotland, the return to face-to-face classes will be delayed two weeks for most students. Education Secretary John Swinney said “one-off phase-out” arrangements are being implemented in light of the latest surge in infections.
“They are designed to allow an assessment of community transmission after the holiday period,” he said.
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