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NUI Galway has become the first university to tell its students that the vast majority of teaching and learning will remain online until after Christmas.
Face-to-face teaching will be limited to essential activities, such as laboratory work and research, until the end of the semester. The university library will remain open but with restrictions to limit the congregation.
Students and staff have also been asked to prioritize testing for Covid-19 before their work or study obligations, and students should be excused from any class to attend.
NUIG, like all Irish higher education institutions, was recommended in late September to limit the non-essential face-to-face teaching it had planned for at least two weeks.
Tier three sees these restrictions extended nationwide through October 27, at least.
Students wishing to leave university accommodation will be reimbursed by NUIG, students were also informed. However, students who rent from private operators may find it difficult to access refunds.
That’s according to Pádraic Toomey, president of the NUIG student union. “We need the government to do a little effort to help students who are losing.”
In general, he welcomed the announcement. “I think the students were just asking for some kind of clarity on what the rest of the semester would be like.”
“The limb [around restrictions] It’s probably the worst, to be told ‘oh it’s two weeks and then we’ll see, now it’s three weeks and then we’ll see’. That way, people don’t know if they should stay or go. “
Meanwhile, Siptu has called for all third-level tuition to remain online until after Christmas, as both staff and students are under pressure to deal with Covid restrictions in ‘blocks of two to three weeks’.
The uncertainty is causing “undue stress levels” among staff who have already endured an extremely tense summer preparing for the academic year, according to Karl Byrne, organizer of the Siptu education sector.
“Before Monday’s announcement, the enhanced protections were reviewed on Friday. We have had last-minute announcements throughout the process.
“We need firm commitments so that people can make plans. We can no longer deal with this in blocks of two or three weeks.”
It is understood that the various student unions are considering all the implications of a possible shift to distance learning for the remainder of the semester, which is not believed to be a “clear cut” decision. Issues related to isolation, accommodation, and student support are currently being discussed.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Continuing and Higher Education said the gradual reopening of the facilities will be guided by public health councils. It will be kept under constant review, she added.
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