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The organization representing national schools has written to the government requesting that it consider a delay in its reopening when the cabinet meets on Wednesday to discuss its response to the increasing cases of Covid.
John Boyle, Secretary General of the Irish National Teachers Organization, told Education Minister Norma Foley that Monday, January 11, should be the earliest date for children to start the new term.
He said this should be considered “for public health reasons in order to ensure safer schools for students, staff and their families.”
“INTO remains firmly committed to supporting our 42,000 members in safe workplaces, as they strive to teach and support the well-being of their students at school, where children undoubtedly benefit greatly,” Boyle wrote in a letter. posted Tuesday night.
“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 growing unrest among teachers comes as the rates of new Covid infections surged above 1,500 and ahead of Wednesday’s cabinet meeting where stricter public restrictions are expected to be adopted.
INTO has asked the Government to take into account the increase in the number of positive cases of mass tests in schools during December. The letter said the number of staff testing positive in elementary and special schools has also increased.
“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 14 days before schools closed for the Christmas holidays.”
He also cites the new, more contagious spread of the virus, rising hospitalization rates, and the recent rise in referrals to GPs for testing.
There is also an “acute shortage of substitute teachers in certain parts of the country.”
Boyle told the minister that a delay in reopening schools would give the boards more time to implement measures and hire substitute teachers.
“Our measured proposal to delay the start of the spring term by a minimum of three school days … would also provide the government with the opportunity to launch an intensive public awareness campaign on the importance of safe schools, which was promised to this union at a recent stakeholder consultation meeting, ”he wrote.
“In our opinion, your government would also be in a better position by the end of next week to take into account the emerging scientific evidence regarding new Covid-19 variants than it could possibly be in the next seven days.”
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