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Children could have two additional days out of school for Covid this Christmas.
Labor education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin proposes that schools end the holidays on Friday, December 18, giving a full week to Christmas Day.
This would imply two additional days, Monday and Tuesday December 21 and 22, above what most schools have already planned.
Mr Ó Ríordáin’s proposal is supported by one of the main teacher unions in the country, ASTI (Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland) and groups of teachers.
A plan was put forward to close schools for one more week over Halloween break, but it was ultimately decided against doing so.
The argument behind the additional closures is that they would allow for more widely spaced family gatherings, as there would be time to plan different group gatherings.
By allowing just two extra days off and taking into account the weekend of December 19 and 20, you would get an extra week instead of just two days.
Ó Ríordáin told the Irish Mirror: “I have received support for this idea.
“The promise is that for just two additional days we could create a much greater degree of flexibility for families to plan their Christmas for a longer period.
(Image: Gareth Chaney / Collins)
“I know ASTI has responded positively to this and many parents have told me that it would help them have a better Christmas.
“I hope the Minister of Education (Norma Foley) sees this favorably.
“It would be good for everyone, parents, teachers and students.”
ASTI President Anne Piggott said on The Pat Kenny Show in Newstalk that the plan could allow children and grandparents to get together in a safer way.
“The argument that is presented is that the schools would close on the 18th and there are only a day and a half left.
“The big argument is the medical argument.
“There are grandparents and parents across this country who want to see the extended family at Christmas.
“If children finish school earlier, it actually means that people can be safer.
“They wouldn’t meet hundreds of people in a closed environment.
“If they had symptoms, they would come before Christmas Day so people could feel safe knowing that they can spend time with their grandchildren who may not be sick; that may not carry the virus.
“That would be the main medical argument.”
Paul Ryder, Principal of Ringsend College in Dublin, added that the extra couple of days “would provide much-needed rest, respite and preparation time for our students, their parents and school staff.
“It has been a great challenge.
“It has been extremely stressful.”
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