Factfind: What advice did NPHET give to Government around the closure of schools?
Debate about the safety of schools in relation to Covid-19 is ongoing. By Stephen McDermott Thursday 21 Jan 2021, 12:05 AM Jan 21st 2021, 12:05 AM 49,324 Views 0 Comments
THE ONGOING DEBATE about the aborted re-opening of schools for pupils with special needs has seen sharp exchanges between teachers’ unions and ministers this week.
Plans for special education classes to return today were scrapped on Tuesday after Fórsa and the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) publicly opposed such a move.
Education Minister Norma Foley accused the unions of being unable to “accept the expert public health advice”, after they raised doubts about whether a return to schools would be safe for special needs teachers and assistants.
Parents of children with special needs: How are you coping? Have your say The Irish Times would like to hear from parents and carers about their experiences during lockdown
Thu, Jan 21, 2021, 15:43
Advocacy organisations AsIAm, Down Syndrome Ireland, Family Carers Ireland and Inclusion Ireland criticised the lack of clarity being provided to children with additional needs and their guardians. File photograph: Getty
Minister for Education Norma Foley and unions are currently at an impasse over the return of classes for students with special needs. The Department of Education abandoned plans to reopen schools for children with special education needs from Thursday as the two unions involved, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) and Fórsa, did not support the Government plan. Ireland is the