[ad_1]
There is a renewed call for the government to consider allowing schools to close early for Christmas due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A Party leader, Alan Kelly, said it would “boost morale” among teachers and other school personnel while helping to restrict movement and reduce potential exposure to the virus.
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has called for an early Christmas break from schools.
The Minister of Education, Norma Foley, ruled out yesterday to end the term on Friday, December 18, instead of the following Tuesday, unless the public health councils are modified.
She told the Oireachtas Education Committee that it was “not our intention” to extend the Christmas break and that it was “important that the schools finish the trimester.”
Kelly told the Dáil that if the schools were dissolved on December 18, many schools would miss a maximum of a day and a half of class time and suggested that it could be made up later in the year.
He said that if the break-up was brought forward: “It would give a clear seven days before Christmas Day that would restrict movements and reduce the potential exposure of hundreds of thousands of people to Covid, thereby allowing families and loved ones to see each other with security”. .
He said teachers and other school staff have made “great sacrifices and been under great pressure” and the early recess “would be a boost for morale and support public health measures.”
He said Education Minister Norma Foley made a statement saying she would not, but suggested, “She might be backing off a bit to consider it.”
He told Taoiseach Micheál Martin: “All I ask is that it be considered at the government level.”
Mr. Martin thanked the school staff for their efforts during the pandemic and also acknowledged that it has been a “different experience” for parents and children.
He said schools “within reason … work their own calendars” and added: “the Department has always been reluctant to instruct schools … to open or organize vacations on a certain date.”
Mr. Martin added: “The minister has given her position” and did not say whether the government would give further consideration to the matter.
Online editors
[ad_2]